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EAMDERA COUMTY 



Sc\ciity-fivc Years of Intrepid IJisLory 



BY 



J. MAR\ IN Hl'X'J'KK 

Author "'The Trail Drivers of Tex. is' 



" A people i hat take no pride in the noble 
aehievemcnfs of i emote aneestors u'i/l never 
aehieve anything icorthy to be remetnbereJ 
xi'ith Pride by remote descendants . 

— Macau lex . 



HUNTER'S PKINTINi; HOUSE 
BANDJiRA, TKXAS 









Gopyritfht 1922 
By ). Marvin Ilnnter 



AliCSi'k'k 

(g,;i.A(J83070 



Pioneer History of Bumlcrd (Joitfifi/ 



FOREWORD. 

Bandera county has a wonderful history. During 
the seventy-five years that have passed since white 
people settled this region, history has been in the 
making. Many tragedies have been enacted, many 
privations endured, many dangers experienced during 
this long span of years — three-quarters of a century. 
We have yet living with us some of the hardy pioneers 
that came with the first settlers, men and women who 
are today nearing the century mark, but still active 
and full of life. Volumes could be written to recount 
the deeds of daring, the thrilling experiences, the 
hardships and sufferings, the heroic achievements of 
the early settlers of Bandera county, and then much 
would be left untold. The rising generation ought to 
know something of the cost of the blessings we today 
enjoy, and it is the purpose of this volume to place on 
record a correct history of these pioneers, and tell of 
the sacrifices they made in order to redeem this great 
land from the hands of the roving bands of Indians 
who had always claimed it. 

We cannot place a marble shaft at the head of the 
grave of each pioneer that has fallen in defense of the 
frontier, but we can place to record in a book a correct 
and authentic account of what our frontier people had 
to undergo. We cannot afford to leave things so 
sacred to memory alone, for time changes all things, 



a I'lnnrcr Hi si or \i af lUntthra Cmrnfy 

aiul soon these matters would all go into the forgotten 
past, wilh the passing of the old pioneers. In this 
way we will hand it down to coming generations, and 
thus not only perpetuate the fondest memories of the 
friends of th** past, but it will also be a source of in- 
terest and pleasure by bringing up those thrilling 
scenes, for their excitements give a spice to life that 
it would not have without them. 



HW\V 






Pioneer Hisforij of Baiidein (.ountii 



OUR PIONEER WOMEN. 






It is pleasant and right to recount the noMe deed's 
of our fathers, but far more pleasant to say something 
in praise of our gentle sisters, the heroines of the pio- 
neer; she who rocked the cradle bed of childhood; 
our first, last and faithfullest friend. We would feel 
remiss in a chivalric dut^^ did wr' fail to notc^ her share 
in the great work of discovery and unpi'oVetnent, and 
it is only proper that we should recoi^d some encourag- 
ing word to her aspirations and advocate her claims 
to a just and proper place in ihe history of our great 
state. The trophies of the years that pass are a few 
immortalities gleaned from its sepulchred Epochs, 
events, chtiracters, that survive: oblivion is the com- 
mon goal of the race. Whatever has contributed to 
human .weal li-as been remembered, memorialized i)y 
cenotaph and mausoleum and remains with us on 
History's page. > Their deeds shine on the pages of 
histor3^ like stars blazing in the nigh I, and their 
achievements have long been ce'ebrated in song and 
story. Romulus and Remus founded an empire and 
their names are immortal. Columbus discovered a 
new world and he stands unique in the sublime faith 
and courage which impelled him over an unknown sea. 



.V Pinnrrr Histoiij of liniidna Countij 

Honor has been rather partial in bestowing her gifts 
and fame has placed her laurels chiefly on masculine 
brows, forgetting the countless heroines who were 
worthy of recognition. It is with great pride that we 
call attention to the fact that the pioneer women of 
Texas have proved themselves competent to fill posi- 
tions other than presiding at the festal board, or beat- 
ing out the rhythm of their blood with sandaled feet 
on polished floors, or strewing flowers in the path of 
the conquerer as he returns from the bloody carnage: 
for many noble names have swollen the list of those 
who have proven to the world that woman can be true 
and great even in the arduous duties incident to pio- 
neer life. Bravely she has gone to the unprotected 
frontier, with no shelter but the crude cabin, the dug- 
out or the open camp, where the winds whistled, wolves 
howled, where Indians yelled, and yet within that 
rude domicile, burning like a lamp, was the pure and 
stainless christian faith, love, patience, fortitude and 
heroism. And as the Star of the East rested over 
the manger where Christ lay, so, speaking not irrev- 
erently, there rested over the roofs of the pioneers a 
star of the West, the star of Empire, and today that 
empire is the proudest in the world. The pioneer 
woman, though creature of toil and loneliness and pri- 
vation, she endured it with a constancy as changeless 
as the solitude and danger about her. She has borne 
her part in a{l the vicissitudes incident to the outposts 
of the borderland and her hands have assisted in 
kindling the fires on the confines of civilization to 
guide the wheels of empire outward, onward. Of 
necessity, the pioneer woman sacrificed more than the 
pioneer man, the finer texture of her being was less 



Pioneer Historij of Ihiinlcro Cou/ti 1/ 9 

adapted to the rugged evironments of pioneer life. 
However, as the tides of the ocean are forever faith- 
ful to the mysterious attraction of the moon, so wo- 
man has followed man across seas, over the mountains 
and into the deserts to witness his adventures and 
share his achievements. Those who lay the founda- 
tions of empire and extend the outposts of civilization 
are worthy of all honor, and especially is this true of 
the pioneer woman. If Texas today boasts of states- 
man or warrior, of patriots and freemen, of a civiliza- 
tion and a social fabric into which is inwrought the 
elements of permanency and progress, she owes it 
largely to her pioneer women who founded the first 
homes, worshipped in the first humble chapels erected 
to (iod on these western hills and boundless prairies 
now crowded with temples and churches and schools 
and institutions of learning, while the multitudinous 
tramp of a million feet are still heard in the distance 
coming this way to enjoy what these pioneer mothers 
purchased by their sacrifice and privation. It was 
not given to many of these leaders to enter into the 
fruits of their labors. This splendid civilization we 
enjoy today, the social vines that shelter us, the civic 
boughs whose clusters feed us, all si)ring from the 
seed sown, and the harvest of tears reaped by our 
pioneers, our old settlers. These pioneer women were 
familiar with murh that has passed with the years, so 
rapidly have conditions changed. Be it said to their 
honor that in humble homes and with few advantages 
she did well her part: there was something in the lul- 
laby that she sang to her children at twilight, in the 
sublime sitnplicity of her teachings that fostered a 
sturdy manhood and patriotism which was inwrought 



10 Pioneer Hi star If of B((iifl(>r(( County 

into the stalwart republie, the precurser of the Lone 
Star State. She has been scalped and tortured by the 
savage, and her blood has reddened these plains and 
valleys as an oblation on the altar of empire. Her 
life and the tragic scenes tb rough which she passed 
are each a romance where daring and adventure and 
sacrifice are the chief actors on its eventful pages. 

All that is noblest in man is born of woman's con - 
stancy and deathless devotion to him. Knighthood 
found its inspiration in the pathos of her love and the 
charm of her smiles. Woman loves man, is jealous 
of his freedom, his liberty, his honor, and for him she 
sacrifices all. Heart and soul are the smallest things 
she immolates on any altar. The pioneer women of 
Texas robbed themselves out in drudgery and toil 
that their beauty might reappear in the structure their 
devoted hands built to liberty and progress: They 
buried themselves in these western solitudes, that 
from these living sepulchres might come the great 
pulse-beat of a mighty nation, buoyant, chivalric, pro- 
gressive civilization. They gave up the comforts and 
pleasures of society, severed the tenderest ties of the 
human heart, home and kindred, the old altars where 
they prayed, the graves of their loved and lost, these 
the dearest things to a woman's heart, that we today 
might enjoy in their fullest fruition what they lost. 
We may well be proud of the temper of these Texas 
heroines; their dear old hands it is true were familiar 
with toil, but they wrought faithfully and well, and 
their dear old hearts beat the prelude to the grand 
march of the empire. Their feet beat out the trail 
over the trackless prairie and across rugged laiountains 
which hag sine© widened into the great thououghfares 



Pioneer Wstojnj of Brnxlern Coiiiifij 11 

of commerce and travel; their tender hands planted 
the first flowers on the graves of those whose bones 
first reposed under Texas soil, (iod bless you, our 
dear pioneer women. We treasure yov\ as trophies 
fresh from the field of victory; may your declining 
years be rewarded with the gratitude and appreciation 
of all who enjoy the blessings and privileges of this 
great country; may your last days be as the calm 
eventide that comes at the end of a quiet summer day 
when the sun is dying out of the west. We beleive 
and admit it today that woman is heaven's "ideal of 
all that is pure and ennobling and lovely here, her 
love is the light of the cabin home." It is the one 
thing in the world that is constant, the one peak that 
rises above the cloud, the one window in which the 
light burns forever, the one star that darkness can- 
not quench— is woman's love. It rises to the great- 
est height, it sinks to the lowest depths, it forgives 
the most cruel injuries. It is perennial of life, and 
grows in every climate, neither coldness nor neglect, 
harshness nor cruelty can extinguish it. It is the 
perfume of the heart; it is this tha,t has wrought all 
miracles of art, that gives us music all the way from 
the cradle song to the last grand symphony that bears 
the soul away on wings of joy. In the language of 
Petronius to Lygia, "May the white winged doves of 
peace build their nests in the rafters of your homes," 
may the gleams of happiness and prosperity shine on 
the pathway of your remaining days, and may the 
smile of an apj)ro\'ing God be a lamp unto your feet 
and a light unto your pathway, guiding you safely 
across the frontier of time to a safe place beneath 
the shade of the trees on the other side. 



13 Pioneer History of Band era Counfy 



TIMES HAVE CHANGED. 

It is frequently said and sometimes believed that 
our old settlers are inclined to be forgetful of the past. 
But we do not believe they are even a bit forgetful of 
those happy days of long ago, the days of their youth, 
and the customs and manners of those early times. 
They are glad now and then to turn off the electric 
lamp and resort to their first love -the light of their 
fathers — the long to be remembered tallow candle. 

The present day modernism, with all its excite- 
ments, does not keep the old pioneers from wander- 
ing back to the old stage coach, with its "four-in- 
hand," the rude picket house that sheltered the family 
and provided protection from hostile bands; the ease 
and comfort of the old rawhide bottom chair; the pole 
bedstead, fringed with its calico curtain, and, not up- 
on china rollers, but always had its place in its own 
corner, and the sleeper on awakening had the pleasure 
of looking into the depths of a great fire-place, orna- 
mented with a mantel made from lumber whipsawed 
from the beautiful cypress, placed high, almost out of 
reach, and on which the old wooden clock, wound up 
every day with a crank, with its constant tick almost 
regulating the rising and setting of the sun. Held in 
reserve were the andirons, some of polished brass, 
others black from long continued use; and do not for- 
get the crane swinging in and out with its manj^ pots 
and kettles, and greatest of all, Avhich every old pio- 
neer refers to with haughty- pride, the corn bread tak- 



Pioneer llistoi'y of Bond era County 13 

eii from the skillet and lid — the aroma of the black 
coffee pot penetrating every niche of the room. Sitting- 
qnietly by -is tlie old red rocker of Our grandmothers, 
aud hanging from its back might be seen the "black 
reticule," and protruding from its folds the stem of a 
much worn pipe. The l)aby's cradle, made out of a 
hollow postoak tree, sawed down and split open, planks 
nailed in the ends and rockers put on, was within easy 
reach. The dining table was made out of three-foot 
postoak boards, and the spinning wheel wasthepiauo 
in that frontier home. 

The old pioneers were not without music. The 
violin in the hands of some of the men, and the mani- 
pulation of the broomstraws, could not be surpassed 
— causing the terpsichorean to glide more smoothly 
over the puncheon floor, where, above all could be 
heard the words, "Swing your right hand partner half 
way round and all promenade." These expressions 
may seem a little odd to this fast moving "two-step" 
age, but you must remember that the early settler 
was not surrounded with the advantages of today. 

The wooden axle wagon, with its tar bucket, was 
the mode of conveyance. Calicoes, not silks, were in 
demand; boots and spurs were indicative of everything 
that was strong — shoes only for the fair. 

Just mention these things to an old timer, and 
you will be quick to see the sparkle come into his eyes 
dimmed by the passing years, his form will become 
erect, the furrows of care on his brow will soften and 
his voice will become young again, for he is living over 
the old s( enes of his happy youth. The faces of his 
early associates, the boys and girls of the frontier, will 
appear to him, the scenes of his childhood in vivid 



14- Pioneer History of Bandera County 

distinctness will be brought into view, and his recol- 
lection will reach back across the span of years to the 
time when these things were. Would you, then, ac- 
cuse the old pioneer of forgetting? The struggle and 
progress and the indomnitable pluck of the early set- 
tlers of Bandera county will be the priceless heritage 
of our children to the remotest generation. 

"Proud is that person who can trace 
His ancestry to patriot sires — - 

\Ylio, for the birthright of a race, 
Lit Freedom's everlasting fires. 

"The races rise and fall, 

The nations come and go: 
Time tenderly doth cover all 

With violets and snow. 

"The mortal tide moves on 

To some immortal shore, 
Past i)urple jieaks of dusk aud dawn, 

Into the evermore." 



Pioneer Histoinj of JUduleiri County lo 



BANDERA HAS A J5EGINNING. 



In the earl}' spring of 1853 A. M. Milstead, Thos. 
Odem, and P. D. Saner, with their families, came to 
Bandera connty and camped on the Medina river, 
where they engaged in making cypress shingles. They 
lived in tents for awhile, or until rude cabins could be 
provided. P. D. Saner and family came from Ten- 
nessee. Along about this time Mrs. Kees and her 
sons, Sidney, Adolphus and Alonzo, and a daughter 
who afterward married Judge Starke^', arrived in this 
county and located homes. The Witt family came 
liere about, the same time. Messrs. Milstead, Odem 
and Saner purchased the Hendrick Arnold Survey, 
consisting of half a league of land running from Ban- 
dera Creek to the Medina Kiver. Mr. Saner built a 
liouse on the river, just above the site of Bandera's 
present school building, and lived there with his family. 
Other people began to come in, and a settlement was 
soon formed. In the fall of that same year, Charles 
de Montel established a horse-power sawmill here, 
which afforded employment for a number of men. A 
commissary store was put in, two or three cabins were 
erected, and the settlement became a village which 
was, from the start, called Bandera. Associated with 



IG Pioneer HUfovy of Bandera Counfrj 

Mr. de Montel was John James, a surveyor, and the 
firm, which became known as James, Montel & Co., 
platted the townsite of Bandera. Previous to the lo- 
cation of the town, and when the three original 
families were still living in tents on the banks of the 
Medina, came Amasa Clark, who is still with us, and 
now in his 94tli year. 

On March 1, 1854, Elder Lyman Wight's company 
of Mormons, numbering about 250 persons, reached 
Bandera, and tarried here for a time, later removing 
to a point several miles below the village and estab- 
lished a camp on the Medina River, known for many 
years afterward as the '*Mormon Camp.' The site 
of this camp is now covered by the waters of Medina 
Lake. The Mormons remained there several years, 
but when their leader, Elder Wight, was claimed by 
death the colony disbanded and scattered. Of the 
remnant that remained here George Hay is the oid\ 
one of the original company that is living today. Mr. 
Hay is now 86 years old, and Cjuite active, being Jus- 
tice of the Peace of Bandera Precinct. 

In 1855, through the agency of James, Montel ^ 
Co., a number of Polish colonists were induced to lo- 
cate hero. There were sixteen families in the colony. 
Of the original PoHsh colonists only a very few arc 
yet living, they being Mrs. F. L. Hicks, Mrs. John 
Adamietz, Mr. and Mrs. JohiLPyka, John, Gabe and 
Joe Anderwald, Mrs. Jake Postert, Charles Haiduk, 
Mrs. Frances Moravietz, Mrs. Joe Kalka, Mrs. Anton 
Anderwald, Constant Dugos, and possibly a few others. 
A full account of the coming of these colonists is 
given in the narrative of Mrs. John xVdamietz. 

Shortly after the arrival of the Polish colonists. 



Pioneer History of Bandera Conniy 17 

August Klappenhacli, a German, built the first store 
building and jjostoffice in Bandera. This l)uilding 
still stands and is a part of (ieorge Hay's residence. 
It was constructed of lumber sawed from cy})ress tiin- 
})er, and John Dugos, one of the Polish settlers, was 
emi)loyed to erect it. Shortly afterward the large 
building now known as the Riverside Inn, was erected 
by A. Savery, and later acquired by H. C. Duffy. It 
was also built of luitive cypress lumber, and is yet in 
an excellent slate of preservation and in constant us-, 
being one of Bandera's poi)ular hotels. 

With the gradual growth of the \iPage the need of 
a school was soon felt, and accordingly a school house 
was built on the site now occuj)ied l)y ("lements 
Kalka's home, and P. P. Pool, afterwards the lirst 
county clerk, was the first teacher. About twenty 
pupils were enrolled, and the tuition was S2.00 })er 
month. 

At that time Bandera county was attached l<> 
Bexar county, but in 1S.")7 the organization of I his 
county was effected, and the following officers were 
chosen: (). B. Miles. Chief Justice; AVilliam Curtis. 
Sheriff; Irvin F. Carter, Tax Assessor and Collector: 
P. P. Pool, County Clerk. At that time Handera 
was in the 17th Judicial District, and Judge Hionias 
Buckner was District Judge, and George H. Nooiian 
was District Attorney. 

Thus Bandera had a beginning, and new settlers 
kept coming in and locating in different parts of the 
county. Among the early settlers was Capt. Charles 
Jack, who purchased a large body of land in Bandera 
and jNIedina counties. He established the Jack Uancii, 
still known by that name, a few miles north of Ban- 



is Pioneer HistoTij of Fxnidei-a County 

dera, and employed A. Moncur, William Ballantyne, 
Robert Ballaiityne and Eugene Oborski to make rails 
and build a fence around 320 acres of the land. These 
nuMi received $3 \)vv hun(h-ed for splitting the rails. 

C). B. Miles was one of the first settlers here and 
was quite prominent in tlie affairs of the community, 
being Chief Justice for a nnmber of years, and lend- 
ing material aid in the county's development. Later 
came Charles Montague, Sr., grandfather of Frank 
and Joe Montague, promijient citizens of Bandera to- 
da}'. Mr. Montague j:>urchased from Milstead and 
Saner a greater portion of the Hendrick Arnold half 
league and established a ranch thereon, the old home 
rancli now being occupied by Frank M. ^fontague. 

In 1844 Ca'^'troville was established on the Medina 
Uiver, about 35 miles below the present site of Ban- 
dera, and that town became (juite a trading point. 
But this was the remote frontier for a long time, and 
the settlers were wholly at the mercy of the Indians, 
except for such protection as ihey themselves pro- 
vided. The establishment of Camp Verde in 1856, 
where United States troops were stationed, afforded 
some relief, and created a greater feeling of security. 
On March 29. 1800, Robert Ballantyne raised a com- 
pajiy of minuet men, from among the citizens here, 
and greatly aided in protecting the settlers. Judge 
George Hay has kindly furnished me with the names 
of the members of this company, and they are here 
given: Robert Ballantyne, lieutenant commanding; 
Francis Towle, first sergeant; August Pingenot, second 
sergeant; George Hay, first corporal; Joseph S. ('urtis, 
second corporal. Ten |)rivates: Richard Bird, G. 
W. Lewis, James Sier, Charles W. Wheeler, John 



Pioneer Bisiory of Bandera Comity 19 

Thomas MclVIiirray, Thomas L. Biickner, Laomi L. 
Wight, Heber L. Chipman, Thomas L. Miller, and 
Leonard Estes. ''I'his company of rangers was com- 
missioned hy (io\(MMH)r Sam Honston. Of this com- 
pany only two are known to be living, Richard Bird, 
in Iowa, and George Hay of Bandera. 

AVhen the Civil War came on, this company dis- 
banded, and some entered the Confederate service. 
Later a Frontier Battalion was organized, with O. B. 
Miles as enrolling ofhcer. Those who eidisted were: 
Charles Montague. Jr., Andrew Mansfield, Anton An- 
derwald, liichard Bird, William Rallantyne, W. A. 
Walker, John Walker, James Walker, Thomas Bandy. 
James Bandy, John Bandy, Oscar Johnson, and 
others. 

After the Civil War, and during reconstruction 
daj^s, Bandera continued to grow, desi)ite many diffi- 
culties and discouragements. Tlic hardships and 
privations of the early settlers, and glimi)ses of some 
of the tragedies that were enacted here are given in 
succeeding chapters of this book. 



(20 Pioneer Historij of B((iulera County 

BANDERA PASS. 

Bandera Pass is a noted gap in the chain of moun- 
tains about ten miles a little west of north of the town 
of Bandera. This pass was named for General Ban- 
dera, a Spaniard, who, in 1733 defeated there a large 
body of Apaches, wlio made these mountains their 
rendezvous for attacks on the Spanish missionaries 
around San Antonio. 

Several battles have been fought at Bandera Pass, 
probaldy the most noteworthy being the desperate 
fight there in 1843 when Col. Jack Hays and his 
rangers defeated a large party of Comanches. In this 
fight the Indian chief was killed, and his grave is yet 
to be seen at the north end of the Pass. Hays' force 
numbered altogether about 40 men, among them being 
Ben McCulloch, Kit Ackland, Sam Walker, George 
Neill, Ad. Gillespie, Sam Luckey, James Dunn, P. H. 
Bell, Mike Chevelier, Ben Highsmith, Lee Jackson, 
Tom (ialbreth and Creed Taylor. Five rangers were 
killed in this fight, and six wounded. Lee Jackson 
was one of the rangers who lost his life. It was a 
very desperate encounter, being fought hand-lo- hand, 
and the Indians outnuml)ering the white men more 
than five to one. Many Indians were wounded and 
slain. They finally withdrew to llie north end of the 
pass and the rangers came back on the south side and 
there buried tlieir dead at a water hole. The exact 
location of the graves of these men is unknown at 
this time. Tom Galbreth, one of the men wounded 
in this fight, has a son living at Devine. 

Some of the men above named becanu^ famous in 
the history of our state. 



Pioneer Hi^f or I I of nrnnlcra Connhj xil 

CAMP VEKDE. 

Camp Verde, on Verde Creek tiiree miles nortli of 
Bandera Pass, was estal)lish(Ml in 1856 for frontier 
protection and as a camel post. The idea of using 
camels for transportation on the Texas frontier was 
fostered by Jefferson Davis, wiio indncid Conf^ress to 
pass the act establishing tliis ])ost and sending to 
Egy})t to secure camels. Eighty camels and tw^elve 
Armenian drivers were brought here, but the experi- 
ment was a failure after ten years trial. Tlie soft, 
spongy feet of the camels prevented their use in these 
hills, and in the course of time the government sold 
most of them for $12 to $14 per head. Some of them 
escaped and grew wild, some were taken to Mexico to 
be used by a transportation company, and some were 
taken to California. Amasa Clark, who lives near 
linndera, worked with these camels and has two pil- 
lows made from camels' hair which he secured while 
there. 

Among those in command of tiiis post at different 
limes were (icn. Robert E. Lee, (ien. Albert Sidney 
Johnson, Major Bowman, Lieut. Wheaton, and other-s. 
It was from here that Gen. Johnson started on his ex- 
pedition to operate against the Mormons in Utah in 
1857, 

There is now but little left of the old post. The 
ofhcers' barracks building has been slightly remodeled 
and is occupied as a dwelling by Mr. W. H. Bonnell, 
who owns the property. The other buildings have 
all been torn down aiid removed, 



22 Pioneer Historij of Bdiulevd Comdy 

BLADEN MITCHELL. 

Bladen Mitchell came to Bandera county from 
Mantissas, Virginia, in 1856. and located a ranch on 
the north side of the Medina river, at what was then 
known as the Ten Mile Crossing, later called Mitchell's 
Crossing, bnt now covered by the waters of the great 
^Medina Lake. Mr. Mitchell had a large bunch of 
good horses, but tfie Lidians made frequent raids and 
soon got them all, so he turned his attention to cattle 
raising, associated in this undertaking with E. C- 
Lane, better known as "Stuttering Lane," Mr. Lane 
owned suttler's stores at Camp ^'erde, Eort Mason, 
and Fort McKavett, and furnished the money to buy 
cattle. This partnership continued for a number of 
years. Mr. Mitchell later moved to Bandera, and 
while living here he foruied a partnership with An- 
drew Oliphant, a lawyer, and they embarked in the 
sheep business, leasmg land in Kinliey county, near 
Spofford Junction, on which to run their flocks. Oli- 
phant moved to Eagle Pass and remained there. The 
sheep venture was not successful and ]\Ir. Mitchell 
retiu'ned to Bandera and became deputy sheriff under 
Buck Hamilton, which place he held for a number of 
years, and when Sheriff Hamilton died Mr. Mitchell 
was appointed sheriff to fill out the unexpired term. 
At the time of Mr. Mitchell's death the following ap- 
peared in the Bandera Enterprise: 

"Died at Utopia on the 20th day of April. 1890, 
Bladen Mitchell, in the 56th year of his age. Jiorn 
in Virginia on what is now historic ground — the battle- 
field of Manassas. About 1854 he emigrated to Texas, 
and for the last 33 years he has resided almost con- 



Pioneer Histoni of Bond mi Coatitij 2S 

tinually in Bandera county, wlierc he started a horse 
ranch about the year 1858, which was l)r()ken up l)y 
repeated raids of Indians wlio twok from liini in all 
ahout 400 head of i>()od stock, the hisl raid Ixmuu in 
1869, wlien in one month tliey stok» al)()ul 1 oO head. 
In 1867 he was desperately wounded with a poisoned 
arrow in a fii>ht wilh Indians mai' tlie ohl Downs 
ranch, Jiaving gone tiiither in searcli of Dr. D )wns to 
dress the broken leg of a friend, Chas. Scheid(Mnontel. 
Known by all the old settlers of the country and l)y 
nearly all the later arrivals, lie was loved and cherish- 
ed by all. His ranch was a home (o which all were 
welcome, and he sped the parting guest wilh a (iod- 
speed. Noted for his hospitality, his g. nial, kindly 
manner drew to him friends from all j;arts of the 
country. Reared in the Episco])al churcli, through 
life he remained a consistent member of that faith. 
Honest and upright in his character, gentle and kind 
in his manners, he was known only to be loved and 
he was loved best by those who knew him best. 
Aye. even in his last illness which was only troubled 
with the fear that he might become troublesome to 
his friends. Living, he was the true friend, the gen- 
tleman who could not be guilty of an ignot)le act be- 
cause his own conscience forbade it. 'Noblesse 
oblige' was to him. perha])s unconsciously, a rule of 
life. Dying, he has left no l)lot on his name, bul a 
memory that will be loved and honored so long as 
tlio.se who knew him shall live, and a character which 
they will emulate." 



^^ij. I'ioiiccr Hislonj of Ihtiidrid Coinifii 

INDIANS KILL ASSESSOR McMURRAY. 

John Thomas McMiirray was serving his first term 
as tax assessor and collector of Bandera county in 
1861. and while on an assessing trip was killed by In- 
dians on a draw to the Seco below the Joe Nye ranch, 
(ieorge Hay, of Bandera, gives the following version 
of the murder of Mr. McMurray: 

"John Thomas McMurray came into my store one 
day and told me he was going over on the Hondo and 
the Seco to assess taxes, and was going alone. I told 
him he might encounter Indians, and advised him to 
go with the mail carrier, but he said he was not afraid. 
Mc^NIurray had belonged to our ranger company and 
I knew him to be a very brave man. He had a crip- 
l)led arm caused by the accidental discharge of a shot 
gun, which somewhat incapacitated him, so we elected 
him tax assessor and collector. After leaving me that 
day I never saw him alive again. He stayed all night 
at a ranch over on the Seco, and next day, about 3 
o'clock in the afternoon, while traveling along he came 
upon two men who were in camp and eating a late 
dinner. These men were coming from the Frio Can- 
yon to mill at Bandera. They invited McMurray to 
take dinner with them, but he said he was in a hurry 
and did not have time to tarry, so passed on, and when 
about a mile from this camp he was attacked by a 
large i)arty of Indians. He quickly turned and start- 
ed to run back to the^ men who were eating dinner, 
Init was killed before he had gone very far, being shot 
in the back with arrows. The campers heard the 
yells and saw the Indians, and became frightened and 
hastily left, going back to their homes. Whether or 



Pioneer Historic f ihtinh')(t Conn ft/ 25 

not they knew McMurray liad been killed I do not 
know, but they never stop])ed until they reached the 
Frio. The weather was bitterly cold, it being winter 
time, and when word was brought to Bandera several 
days afterwaid that AEcMurray was missing, a search- 
ing ])arty composed of P. D. Stinev, Uobei^t Hallan- 
tyne, (). H. Miles, myself, and others went out to the 
ranch of Henderson C. McKay, where we stayed all 
night, and the next morning we started out and found 
the body, laying face down. McMurray's pistol and 
assessment book had l)een taken away by the Indians, 
but he had not been scali)C(l. We buried him there, 
and ever since then that draw has been known as 
Dead Man's Hollow." 



AMANDA DAVIS KILLED BY INDIANS. 

Ih 1854 i{ichard Davis, with his family, was camp- 
ed on the Medina river, eight miles above the present 
site of Bandera, where he was making shingles. One 
day when his three daughters, Amanda, Susie and 
Lucy, went to a spring to get water they were attack- 
ed by three Indians who were concealed in the high 
grass, and Amanda was shot with arrows, one of them 
])assing through lier heart. The other two little girls 
outrnn the Lulians and n^aclied their camp in safety. 
Mr. Davis nnd Kit Stanford followed the Lidians on 
foot for some distance, but did not overtake them. 
The body of the murdered girl was brought to the 
sawmill settlement for burial. 



20 Pi oncer Histonj of Band era Con nil f 

CAPTURED AN INDIAN. 

It is said that Big Foot AYallace once captured an 
Indian l)oy and wlien he carried his captive to Castro- 
ville one of the citizens there begged Wallace to give 
the hoy to him. Wallace, in his characteristic way, 
re])lied: "This is my Injun. If you want an Injun 
go and catch one. Thar be plenty more whar this 
one cum from." 

Joseph B. Hudspeth, an early settler of the Hondo 
Canyon, eighteen miles west of Bandera, heard a 
disturbance on his premises one night, followed by 
the furious barking of his dogs, and going out in the 
moonlight to learn the cause he discovered a blanket 
lying on the ground not far from his front door. 
Thinking some of his famil}^ had left the blanket out 
in the yard he stooped to pick it up, when to his 
great surprise the blanket suddenly rose u]) and be- 
gan to move off. There was an Indian under that 
blanket, and Mr. Hudspeth grabbed him in a grip- 
ping embrace and called to his wife to bring his 
gun to him (piick. Mrs. Hudspeth lost no time 
in fetching the gun and seeing the struggle her hus- 
band was having, slie placed the muzzle of the gun 
against the Indian's head and tried to pull the trigger 
but the gun failed to fire. Mr. Hudspeth finally over- 
powered the savage and took him into the house 
where it was found that the Indian was just a t)oy 
about 13 years old. but very active and strong. He 
was nearly naked having only a breech-clout and 
the blanket. Next day the Indian boy was brought 
to Bandera, and it was learned that he was a Tus- 
calero Indian that had been captured by the Coman- 



Pioneer History of Bitndent Coiiniij 27 

ches wh(Mi he was six years old. lie had been on a 
raid witli tlie Comanches, and l)ecoming separated 
from tlie band had become lost and at the time was 
trying to steal a horse from Mr. Ilndspeth on which 
to make his way back to the tribe. 

The young Tuscalero was turned over to Polly 
Rodriguez, a well known guide and trailer for the 
rangers. lie remained with Rodriguez many years 
and was known to all of our early settlers. 



1U( HARD M. WARE. 

Ricliard M. Ware was an early settler in Sabinal 
Canyon, locating there in 1852. In 1866 Mr. AVare 
and Charles Durbin started to Bandera to get meal. 
The distance was forty miles, and it was the nearest 
mill from this canyon. On the way back, and when 
nearly home, in the lower part of Seco Canyon, they 
saw a drove of horses coming up the valley towards 
them dri\en by a bnnd of Indians. Just above 
wlicre the ohl Bandera road crosses the Seco a man 
named Myrick had built a house, but it was vacant 
at this time. Ware and Durbin made a run f(jr this 
house, and were discovered by the Indians who came 
yelling nnd shooting at them. The white men beat 
the race and got inside the cabin, and ])repared for 
a figiit, but the redskins did not attack. After re- 
maining ill th(^ liouse for soine time and wlieii all 
seemed quiet outside, Mr. Ware stepped out to re- 
connoiter, when he was fired upon by an Indian con- 
cealed behind a liveoak tree, the ball passing just over 
his L.^ad. Next morniug the Indians had disappeared. 



'2S Pioneer JtistoVy of Bdinlei'a Cojuifjl 

LIFE STORY OF MRS. ANNIE E. BROWN. 

WRITTKN BY MRS. L. HICKS. TARPLEY, TEXAS 

I was born in Thibadeaiixville, La Fourclio Parish, 
Louisiana, in 1838. My father was a slaveholder and 
owned an interest In a steamboat company. Wlien I 
was four j^ears old my mother died, but with the help 
of servants and my old black "Mammy" nurse, m}^ 
fatlier kept me until I was seven years old, wheu he, 
too, was claimed by death. Then I was taken into 
the home of my guardian where I grew up with his 
children. We received our education in the })hinta- 
tion liome, having private tutors who taught English, 
aritlunetic, spelling, writing, reading, French and 
Latin. Public schools in the South at that time were 
very scarce and poorly attended, most people either 
keeping tutors or else sending to boarding schools. 

When 1 was 18 years old T w^as given my portion 
of my father's estate, and went to live with relatives 
at Alexandria, La. Here I again took up the study 
of French and Latin, having finished my other studies 
in the home of my guardian. Life on the plantations 
was usually ({uiet. We had time to read, study, do 
fancy work, and take recreation. Tlie large planta- 
tions placed neighbors se\eral utiles apart, yet we 
would have con^pany perhaps two or three times a 
week. We traveled on horseback or in ('{trringes. 
Our amusements were riding, picnicking, dancing, 
fishing parties, and boating- 
While at Alexandria I met IVL-. Brown and we 
were married November 25th, 1859. At this time 
Mr. J^rown was a clerk in a wholesale house in Shreve- 
port, but growing tired of this work, and the country 



Pioneer History of }j and era Count ij 29 

being in a state of turmoil and on tlie verge of civil 
war, we decided to go to California, so we set out for 
Austin, Texas, intending to go from there to El Paso, 
and on to California. We expected to fall in with 
one of the immigrant trains, as we did not care to 
make the long journey alone. We had converted all 
of our property into money before leaving home, and 
traveled to Austin in a light spring wagon. Here we 
spent a month, when we learned that we could not go 
to California via El Paso on account of hostile In- 
dians. We then decided to go to Eagle Pass, cross 
over into Mexico, and follow what was then called the 
Southern Route, but before we started we learned 
that we would not be permitted to enter Mexico unless 
we carried cotton. Accordingly Mr. Brown bought a 
wagon and five bales of cotton, and we set out, but 
when we reached Eagle Pass we were not permitted 
to cross, so we had to sell our cotton on this side and 
come back. Two months later we reached Souse 
(^reek, four miles below Castroville, and being worn 
out with our long journej', Mr. Brown left me to 
board with a family named Beipert, while he went to 
San Antonio and engaged in hauling cotton to Eagle 
Pass. I slaved here four or hve nu)uths, and when 
my baby girl was one month old I rented a room from 
Mr. Christian Santleben and went to housekeeping 
during Mr. Brown's absence. 

One da}', while sitting in my room — my baby was 
on the bed — a strange man suddenly entered and ad- 
dressed me in (ierman. 1 replied tluit ! could not 
speak that language, but vould call the lady of the 
house who would talk to him. He then uttered an 
oath and said. 'T can talk as good English as you.' 



30 Pioneer Hisiory of Bandera County 

I thought he was drunk, so I went and called Mrs. 
Santlehen. who was sick in bed, and when I told what 
he said she at once arose and remarked that he must 
be a crazy man who had been at hirge. She went into 
\\\y room and found him standing over my babv with 
a long knife in his hand. She asked him what he was 
doing there. His reply was, "My mission in life is to 
make angels for God." With rare presence of mind, 
realizing that she had a desperate lunatic to deal with, 
Mrs. Santleben hastened to say, "You cannot make 
angels unless you first take the sacrament. Come, 
and I will give you bread and wine," to which he re- 
plied. "That's so," and walked from my room into a 
hallway adjoining it, and while he was eating what 
Mrs. Santleben prepared and set before him, Mary 
Santleben and I took the baby and escaped through a 
back window and ran into a cornfield and hid. But 
1 couk! not bear to leave the old lady alone with thai 
crazy man, so giving the baby to Mary, I told her to 
go to the nearest neighbor for help, and I went back 
to the house. The man seemed to have forgotten the 
baby and while he was still eating, Mrs. Santlel)en 
and 1 c|uietly left the house and went out on the 
prairie where we could watch until he left. We were 
afraid he would set fire to the house. Finally he came 
out, and catching sight of us, he drew his knife and 
started running in our direction. We had some dis- 
tance the start of him and ran our best, dodging be- 
hind trees as much as possible. Mrs. Santleben, being 
old and ill, fell time after time, saying she could go 
no farther, but each time I helped her up and urged 
her on. Finall}- we came to an arroya where we 
managed to hide, and, not finding us, he went on down 



Pioneer HistoTij of lUmdcra Couiiiy 31 

the road toward San Antonio. The help we sent for 
never came. This was during the Civil War and owXy 
very old men and young boys were left in the homes, 
and as there were only two hoys at the place where 
we sent for help they were afraid to come to our assis- 
tance, as they knew the crazy man and were afraid of 
him. We learned later that he reached San Antonio 
and entered a home there while the family was at 
supper. He turned the table upside down, and an- 
nounced that his mission "was to make angels for 
God." These people called in the officers and it took 
eight of them to conquer him. He was sent back to 
the insane asylum and 1 think died there. 

After this Mr. Brown took two more loads of cotton 
to Eagle Pass and brought back dry goods, sugar, cof- 
fee, etc., which he sold to the uierchants in San An- 
tonio, reserving what we would need ourselves. One 
day while in San Antonio he was arrested and thrown 
into the guard house as a deserter from Sibbley's Bri- 
gade, when as a matter of fact he knew nothing of 
this brigade. He had friends who soon secured his 
release. He then began freighting for the government 
to do which he liad to j)urchase a heavy ox-wagon 
that would carry a certain amount of cotton, and 
drawn by three yoke of steers. He was to take the 
cotton to Eagle Pass and bring back supplies for the 
government. He had never driven oxen before, but 
started out and managed to get as far as Kincheloe 
Prairie, somewhere near Sabinal, and cam})ed there, 
hobbled out his steers and went to sleep. Next morn- 
ing he hunted his oxen but could not find them, so 
had to leave his wagon on the prairie. He searched 



32 Pioneer Hisiory of Bandera County 

for these oxen about three months, but never found 
them. After tliis he came back to Mr. Santleben's 
and made arrangements for the use of his teams, 
agreeing to give Mr. Santleben half of liis earnings. 
He continued in tliis work until the war ended. 

While Mr. Brown was at this work I had another 
fright. We had left Santleben's house and rented a 
house from a man named Katisky, who had a grown 
daughter. This girl came to my house one morning 
and said, "Something dreadful has happened. So 
bad I cannot tell you." My thoughts naturally 
turned to Mr. Brown, and I was sure he had been 
killed. She led me to the door, and a short distance 
in front of her home I saw the body of a man hanging 
from a tree. At the sight of this I collapsed. The 
manner in which she had informed me of the finding 
of this body caused me to jump to the conclusion 
that it was my husband hanging there. I was un- 
conscious all day, but next day was told the particu- 
lars. We did not learn the dead man's name, but he 
had charge of a train of negro teamsters going with 
cotton to Eagle Pass, and was hanged bj' a vigilance 
committee tliat thought he was running his negroes 
into Mexico to keep from giving them nj). I tliink 
this was done by TrumbulFs committee, but do not 
believe they were actuated by love of lil^erty in this 
instance. 

While liunting his oxen out on the Frio river, Mr, 
Brown Ijecame acquainted with a Mr. Woodward, 
who owned a plac e on the Medina, eight miles from 
Castroville. He told Mr. Brown that he could have 
all he could make on this place if he would stay on it 
and look after his ranch, so we moved thereto. Here 



Pioneer Tfistovy of Bandera Comity S3 

were on the main road where large wagon trains pass- 
ed loaded with sugar, coffee, and other supplies for 
Sail Antonio. We often exchanged corn, meat, and 
oilier j)ro(hicls with the Leanislers for proxisions and 
dry goods. 

Afterward wc rented a farm, half and half, w ilh 
some German boys. Here we planted a corn crop, 
also a garden —our first garden in Texas. A droutli 
struck us, and on the 26th of July we cut down our 
corn for fodder. The next day it rained! The (ier- 
man boys did not cut their corfi, and raised a fairly 
good crop. Disgusted witli this venture, and having 
spent about all the money we had brought with us 
from the east, we again decided to move, so we went 
to Devine and "squatted" on a piece of land about 
two miles from that place. We received a ver\ cold 
welcome to our new home, as the night we arrived 
there (in January) we had the heaviest snow 1 have 
ever seen in Texas. Mr. Brown had to sit up all night 
and build big log-heap fires to keep us warm. Tlie 
children and 1 tried to sleep ])etween two feather beds. 
Our new home was near that of Capt. "J5ig Fool'" 
Wallace, who we found to be an excellent neighl)or, 
^\\\(\ we soon bec'ame fast friends. After wc had been 
here some time Mr. Brown made a trip to San An- 
tonio, returning home one night about 12 o'clock. He 
had driven a horse and a mule on the trip, and when 
he reached home he just turned them out. Early the 
next morning a neighbor came over to borrow a horse 
to ride, saying he had staked his own horse out and 
he had gotten away. Mr. Brown went with him to 
get the horse he had used the night before, and a short 
distance from the house they found the mule with 



J^ Pioneer History of Bandera County 

three arrows sticking in his body. Tlie mule soon 
died. They never found the horses, for the Indians 
had taken them away. No other depredations were 
committed at this time, but later the Indians killed a 
boy, Issaac (Jalbreth, who had gone to look after a 
horse he had staked some distance from iiis home. His 
mother heard his screams and ran to him, but he was 
dead when she got there. The mother stayed with 
him while her daughter went for help. This daughter 
is now Mrs. Heath of Hondo. 

Some time after this two of our neighbors, Mr. 
Whitley and ^Ir. McCrej^ and their two sons, went 
out on Black Creek hunting. While the boys were 
away from camp the Indians killed Whitley and Mc- 
Crey. They were brought to Devine for bm'ial. 

Times became very dull, and Mr. Hrown hired a 
negro boy to do the work about the place while he 
went to San Antonio to seek employment. Failing 
to secure work there he went to Fort Worth, where 
he was stricken with typhoid fever. While conval- 
escent he secured a i)osition, started Imck for the 
children and I, expecting to move us there to make 
our liome. But while on the road he relapsed and 
died, and I was left lo figlil lifcs baliles jdouc 

1 traded the improvements on my claim to Captain 
\\ allace for a pan* of fine horses and put the negro boy 
to freighting, and thus made my living for awhile, but 
at last the negro married and I could not keep him 
longer. Then I took boarders, Captain Wallace being 
one of them. With the money I managed to save 
from keeping boarders I bought hunber and built a 
house about four miles above Devine, thinking I 
would make my home there. I had purchased the 



Pioneer History of Bandera Covniy S5 

land from a lawyer, Russel Howard, of San Antonio, 
but when I had it surveyed, to my dismay. I found 
my house stood on land belonging to a man whose 
heirs lived in France. 1 tried to trade for this land, 
but could not do so. However, I planted a cotton 
crop, l)ut as it was a (hy year I raised onh a few 
hundred pounds. Accompanied by my daughter, 
Alary, and a neighbor's daughter, I took this cotton 
to ("astroviile to have it ginned, expecting to make 
the trip in a day. But 1 lost the tire and felloes from 
one of my wagon wheels and was compelled to sta\- 
overnight to have it fixed. We started home next 
morning, and met a party of our neiglibors who had 
become uneasy about our safety, fearing Ihe Indians 
had killed us. 

Discouraged by the drouth and also somewhat 
frightened by hearing of the finding of the bodies of 
two dead men in a pasture near mine. 1 again deter 
mined to move. Air. Lewis, one of my neighbors who 
owned all of the land where Devine now stands, had 
sold out and moved to Bandera county. The family 
came back and gave me such a glowing description of 
the cool, full flowing streams, fine grass and pictures(|ue 
mountains, I hat I tlecided to come here. Mr. Dave 
Lewis promised to move my etlects, so on November 
25, 1876, we started, with Air. Lewis and Sharp Whit- 
ley driving for us. Again J was greeted by a storm, 
a Texas *'blue norther," accompanied by sleet and ice. 
We had expected to reach Air. Lewis' house that 
night, but were compelled to stop at Barnes Bluff, 
near the old Rothe ranch, and seek protection from 
the storm. The men sat up all night to keep up the 
fires or we might iiave frozen. The next day we 



,3'6' Pioneer HistoTij of Fxindera Count ij 

reached Mr. Lewis' home on Williams Creek, in Ban- 
dera county. Here we spent a very quiet winter 
with his family. Soon after we came here Deputy 
Sheriff Phillips was killed by the Indians atSeco Pass, 
about four miles from where we were staying. We 
lived with the Lewis family until spring and having 
filed on land as a homestead, I felt that I should go 
and live on it, as the law required it, and, over the 
protest of my neighbors, I took my son and camped 
under a large oak tree. While here Grandpa Cazey 
came and begged me to leave; said he was afraid he 
would have to come and j)ick up my bones some day. 
1 rei)lied that if it was to be my fate I would just as 
soon have him pick them up as anybody, but this was 
my home and I intended to stay. 

When summer had passed I got Grandpa Lewis to 
take me and my son back to Devine, where I had 
rented out my place, to get my share of the crops, 
and while down there I traded that land for a yoke 
of steers and a big ox-wagon which I knew I could 
sell when I got back to Bandera county. Wlien I re- 
turned 1 found my neighbors had erected a log cabin 
tor me duriu;^ niy absence, ll ^^;•s mA (juile finished, 
the roof not having been pul on About this tune 
Sam Cazey and Jim Lewis prepared to go over on the 
Sabinal River to made cypress shingles. Sam Cazey 
asked me to take charge of his place while he was 
gone, which I did. and spent the winter there, and 
taught the neighborhood school for three months. I 
had nine pupils. Most of the neighbors paid tuition 
in trade or work^ INIr. Hudspeth paid money, and 
Jim Lewis paid me with shingles with which I covered 
my house and the next spring 1 moved back to it. 



Pioneer Hi sfovy of Hduihrtt (Comity S7 

The following year a family h.'uixmI Kllis moNcri 
into the county. Mrs. Kllis Avas an i ma lid. and 1 was 
engaged to take care of her. I had done a great deal 
of nursing but never before for wages. I remained 
with the Ellis family all summei- and in the fall they 
sold out to Mr. Ross, who in turn sold to Mr. Tuckei'. 

Tlie following spring 1 was employed at (he Ma\- 
erick ranch, and remained there three years When 
the Mavericks sold out, Mrs. Maverick urg.Hl me to 
go to San Antonio with them, and I went there to 
follow my profession -that of nursing. I secured all 
1 could do, and often liad to refuse work for lack of 
time to do it. 1 nursed for about thirty years, most 
of the time in San Antonio. I alwa^^s nursed under 
specific directions of a doctor, some of tliem being 
old Dr. f'upples. Dr. Ferdinand Hertf, Sr., Dr. Adolph 
Hertf, Dr. Harnitz, Drs. Kingsley. Dr. Jones. 1 made 
several trips to Boerne to nurse. We went by the old 
stage coach, leaving San Antonio in the morning, ar- 
ri\'ing at Leon S])rings for dinner al the Aue Hotel, 
and reaching Boerne some time in the afternoon. I 
also went to Kerrville and nursed under Dr. Palmer, 
who still lives there. In all of my nursing I never 
lost a patient. I went to Del Hio to nurse a lady, 
and while there I was in a terrible storm, whicli 
wrecked a new Episcopal church and several shacks. 
The house in whicli I was staying was badly damaged 
and my patient was made very ill. In caring for her 
I dislocated my back, from which I suffered very 
much, and the injury prevented me from nursing for 
nearly three years. 



:]S Pioneer History of Baiulera County 

While I was in San Antonio I invested $300 in a 
loan association, which afterwards went broke. Be- 
fore I returned to my home on Williams Creek, I 
tried to get my money back, but they refused to pay 
me. However, with the help of Mr. E. H. Terrell, in 
whose family I had nursed, I succeeded in getting my 
money back. After paying my bills there I reached 
home with about $125, with which I bought lumber 
and built another house on my place, my daughter 
and her husband occupying the log house there. 

When Mr. E. H. Terrell, of San Antonio, was ap- 
pointed minister to Belgium by President Harrison, I 
was engaged to accompany them to Belgium as nurse 
and companion. Our first stop was at St. Louis, 
where we spent a week with Mr. George Maverick, a 
brother to Mrs. Terrell. Then we went on to New 
York, where we spent two weeks while Mr. Terrell 
was in Washington getting everything in readiness to 
assume his duties abroad. As we came to New York 
our route took us through Johnstown, Pa. As we 
left Johnstown 1 remarked that I would not live in 
that place for all the wealth in the valley. The rest 
of the party laughed at me, but the first news we 
heard from America when we landed at Havre, 
France, was that Johnstown had been swept away by 
a flood. 

I was very seasick while we were crossing the 
Atlantic. We landed at Havre, and went from there 
to Paris, where we spent nearly a month waiting for 
the former minister to finish his work so we could 
move to the legation. Then we went to Brussels, Bel- 
gium, and Mr. Terrell entered upon nis duties. Here 
we remained all of that year and until the summer of 



pioneer HUforij nf BamJnut (hiintji SO 

the next year, when Mrs. Terrell, the cliildren and I 
traveled in Switzerland. Our first stop was at Basle, 
the "Gateway to Switzerland," w'lere we spent awhile 
sightseeing. Then Mr. Terrell joined us and we went 
to Berne, and saw the world famous "Pit of Bears," 
and also the "Apostles' Clock." Prom Berne we 
weut to Anterlarkin, a beautiful little city at the fool 
of the Alps, with a lake on either side. Here we 
spent two months, and saw a great many wonderfully 
beautiful sights. Mr. and Mrs. Terrell wen'i every- 
where, climbed the Alps, and saw everything, while T 
kept the children. I made man}' short trips with 
them. While here I saw snow fall in August. When 
we returned to Bussels Mr. and Mrs. Terrell resumed 
their official and social duties. I had the care of the 
children, and remained with them a year and a half 
longer. Learning that Mr. Terrell was expecting to 
be transfered to Russia T asked them to release me so 
I could return home, as I had always entertained a 
horror of Russia and could not bear to think of going 
there. So I left my good friends and sailed for home, 
making the long journey alone without any trouble, 
except I was very sick as long as I was on the ocean. 
I was indeed glad to reach old Bandera county once 
more, and remained here for sometime. Later I 
went to Eagle Pass to do nursing, and made several 
trips into Mexico, going to Monclova and Terreon. 
On one of these trips I was in a railroad wreck, but 
escaped unhurt. 

1 returned to Bandera county to take care of my 
cattle, and follow ranching once more. When I 
moved up from Devine in 1876 I had two fine horse 
poUars which I traded for a cow and calf. I gave 



40 Pioneer History of Bmidera Counfii 

this cow and calf to my son. I also had a 60fb feather 
bed which J traded to Jim Lewis for a cow and calf, 
Mr. Lewis also agreeing to floor my cabin, which up 
to this time had only a dirt floor. This was in 1877. 
These cattle had been on my range all these years 
and had increased so I had to have more range. I 
purchased a piece of land from Street Hudspeth, and 
to pay for it and fence it I borrowed $700 from im^ 
son. In 1916 he wished to go to Arizona, and needed 
the money, and I let him have the cattle to pay the 
debt, and he sold them. It was a very lucky deal all 
around, as three years of drouth followed, and if we 
had kept the cattle they would have died of starva- 
tion. From the first cow that I ever owned I am 
sure I have sold $1,000 worth of stock, and I still 
have one of her descendants, which I am milking to- 
day. After paying my son, I was free from debt and 
had 480 acres of land. For several years I tried 
farming, and then rented out my land for awhile, but 
it was unsatisfactory, and I decided to sell out. I 
sold my original pre-emption, 160 acres on the head 
of Williams Creek for $950, and in the fall of 1920 I 
sold the balance of my land, except 74 acres On which 
I have built a house and cultivate a garden and raise 
cow feed. I received $10 per acre for the last land I 
sold, and put the money Out on interest and the in- 
come is sufficient to keep me in comfort the balance 
cf my days. I live alone from choice, that I may 
feel free to work when I please, play Or read whenever 
I wish, and do as I like. 

I have seen Southwest Texas and Bandera c0iint;f 
change from a wilderness to a land of cultured honied; 
have seen the prairie schooner replaced by the aut^o- 



Pioneer History of Bandera Coiiiify 



41 



mobile: have lived through the Mexican War, the 
Civil War, the Spanish- American War, the Philippine 
War, and the World War, and I hope there will never 
be another. The pioneer homes here had but few 
comforts, no luxuries. Their beds were made by 
driving stakes in the ground and placing split rails 
across; on this was placed a shuck or feather bed. 
The women sewed by liand, but I was fortunate in 
having a sewing machine. We cooked in the open 
fire-place. I have seen many great changes, too 
many to mention. I aiR now 83 years young, and I 
believe I have lived in one of the world's most inter- 
esting periods. Through it all I can see the work of 
an All-Wise, All-Powerful Creator, and I am content. 




Tlie Old Duffy Hotel in Banderii 



Jj.^ Pioneer History of Bandera County 

KILLING OF THEODORE KINDLA. 

In the summer of 1872, Theodore Kindla, aged 
about 25 years, was a sheep boss for Judge J. B. Da- 
venport, who ranged his flocks over in Sabinal Can- 
yon, below Utopia. One evening Ivindla left camp, 
and went to look for a water hole, intending to move 
his sheep to a new range the next day. When only a 
short distance from ?amp he was attacked by several 
Indians, who roped him, shot several arrows into his 
body, lanced him several times, and while he was still 
alive the hell-born savages scalped him and peeled 
the skin from the soles of his feet. They left him 
then and passed on up the valley. After they were 
gone Kindla got up and, though horribly wounded, 
made his way toward his camp, but after going about 
200 yards he fell and expired. A Mexican herder, 
who saw the Indians coming, concealed himself in 
some bushes and witnessed the tragedy, but was poAv- 
erless to render aid as he was unarmed. As soon as 
he felt safe to venture forth he went to the fallen man 
and finding him dead, hastened to give the alarm, but 
it was late the next day before help came, and the 
bo(h^ was so badly decomposed that burial was made 
where the unfortunate man fell. 

Theodore Kindla was the son of John Kindla, a 
pioneer citizen, and was a half-brother to Ernest F. 
Kindla who now lives in Bandera. Phillip Mazurek, 
also a well known citizen of Bandera, remembers 
Theodore Kindla (juite well, and says he often asso- 
ciated with him during his boyhood days. They 
hunted together, worked together, and were boon 
companions. 



Pioneer Hisfory of Ban flcvtt Count y Jf-S 

' CAME TO TEXAS IN 1850. 

W. H. White, who resides in the Pipe Creek com- 
munity, Bandera county, gives the following narrative 
for this book: 

I was born in Anderson county, Tennessee, Dec. 
25th, 1834. and came to Texas with my parents when 
I was 16 years old. We reached Rockwall January 1, 
1850, where father rented a farm. Later he bought a 
place 18 miles east of Dallas and lived there four 
years, then moved to Denton county. In the early 
part of 1859 we moved to San Antonio, which at that 
time was only a small place. When the war between 
the states broke out I cast my lot with the Confederacy 
and served until the war ended, then returned to San 
Antonio. I was married in 1865 to Miss Mary Ann 
Reynolds, and we have six children: (ieorge White of 
Pipe (^reek; James and William Wliite of (iirard, 
Texas; Joe AVhite of Austin; Mrs. Lydia Sherman of 
San Antonio, and Mrs. Laura Churvi of Houston. 

I located on Pipe Creek June 12, 1870. The first 
night we were here the Indians killed one of my oxen 
and crippled another. The population of the county 
at that time was small, but this was a beautiful coun- 
try, game was plentiful, the future looked good, and 
I "stuck it out" and endured the hardships with 
the other settlers. For fifty-two years — more than 
half a century — I have lived on Pipe Creek in Han- 
dera county, Texas, the best place on earth. I came 
and found this region a trackless wilderness, infested 
with wild beasts and wild men; but the old dangers 
have passed away and today I l)ehold a land of con- 
tentment, where happiness reigns supreme, 



44 Pi oarer Hi star ij of Bo ml era Coiuity 

THE KILLING OF BERRY BUCKELEW. 

From A. J. Sowell's interesting book, "Texas In- 
dian Fighters," we get the following account of the 
killing of Berry (J. Buckelew, the father of L. B. C, 
Buckelew, who lives near Lima, in Bandera county: 

'•Berry Chami)ion Buckelew was born February 
15. 1824, in Laurens county, Alabama, and came to 
Texas in the early fifties from Arkansas. He had 
four milk cows, and these he broke to the yoke and 
worked them to his wagon to Texas, and then traded 
for some young steers and milked his cow^s. In 1856 
he settled on Laxson's Creek, but soon after moved 
to the Sabinal Canyon and lived at the Blue Water 
Hole on a ranch of Judge James Booker Davenport, 
and kept some stock for him on shares. During this 
time he went back to Laxson's Creek, w^here his 
nephew was making shingles and carried a load to 
San Antonio and sold them. With the proceeds of 
the sale of the shingles Mr. Buckelew bought supplies 
and started ba^k home, and in the evening of January 
26th, 1866, he arrived at Cosgrove's ranch -on the 
Seco, and ate supper there about sundown. LI is team 
was very tired, and he borrowed a yoke of oxen from 
Cosgrove to pull his wagon on home. But a curious 
thing happened. He was unable to hitch the oxen to 
the wagon, although they were perfectly gentle. They 
continually plunged and tried to get awa3% and were 
tinally turned loose and Buckelew started on home, 
the distance being five or six miles. Before h'* start- 
ed, however, Cosgrove told him he had better not go, 
as Indians were in the country and he had seen two 
of them. This was on Friday evening, and Buckelew 



PioneerZ History of Bandera County 45 

left the ranch about dusk. On Saturday morning Mr. 
Cosgrove saw a horse across the creek in a fiat and 
sent a negro after it, thinking it was one of his, but 
when the boy came back lie said the horse did not be- 
long to the ranch. Cosgrove went over to look at the 
liorse and found that he belonged to Buckelew — one 
he led behind the wagon to drive up his oxen on every 
morning while camping on the trip. Mrs. Cosgrove 
said: 'I will bet anything the Indians have killed 
Mr. Buckelew.' Her husband thought not, and said 
she was too easily scared. On Sunday some cowmen 
ate dinner there, and Mrs. Cosgrove told them she be- 
lieved Buckelew was killed. Kedniond C.ivens, hearing 
all this, went over on the Sabinal to the Davenport 
ranch and asked Mrs. Buckelew where her old man 
was. She answered that he had not yet returned 
from his trip. Givens then told of the circumstances 
of his passing the ranch, and an alarm was at once 
raised. Givens went up the canyon to Waresville 
after men to help hunt, and got Ben Biggs, Joel Fen- 
ley, Wilson O'Bryant and others, and they closely 
searched the road on both sides back to Cosgrove's. 
The body was found one iind a ludf miles from home, 
some distance from the road, down in a gully, as was 
also the wagon and team. One ox was dead, having 
been shot by the Indians, but the other three were 
still hitched to the wagoli, alive but unable to get out 
of the lavine. Mr Buckelew was lying on his back 
and a pile of rocks was under his head, and three ar- 
rows were in his body. It was evident that he was 
walking beside his wagon when the attack was made, 
and the Indians came up in his rear and shot one 
arrow into his back, and as he whirled around to con- 



4-6 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

front them two more were sent into his breast. Pro- 
bably then the team left the road and ran away, and 
he followed, trying to get some protection from the 
wagon, until it went into the ravine and the oxen 
stopped from inability to proceed any further, and 
here the Indians killed him, beating his head badly in 
doing so. The body was taken home by the men 
who found it. 

"Berry Buckelew, Jr., who still lives in Bandera 
county, was six years old when his father was killed 
and remembers well how he looked when laid out, and 
went up and kissed him. He thinks his father lived 
until just before the body was found, and that he 
placed the rocks under his head himself. His reason 
for this, and a very good one, is that the body was 
still warm when found, although having been there 
two days and nights. It is likely that the led horse 
broke loose when the team ran, and came back to 
Cosgrove's. 

"After the killing of her husband, Mrs. Buckelew 
went back to Bandera, bought a lot in town, and sent 
her children to school. Here after a time (in 1868) 
she married James W. Siers, a veteran of the Mexican 
War, and llicii mo\ cd l)ack lo Laxson's Creek." 



DR. EDWIN M. DOWNS. 

One of the prominent citizens of Bandera county 
in the early days was Dr. Edwin M. Downs, who 
brought his family here in 1857 and located a ranch 
on East Verde Creek, about five miles from the village 
of Bandera. He built a substantial two-story stone 



Pioneer Bistory of Bandera County 47 

dwelling, which later was destroyed by fire. Dr. 
Downs owned an immense body of land extending 
from the East Verde to West Verde Creek and includ- 
ilig what is known as the Peach Tree Water Hole, so 
named by the early citizens finding a peach tree grow- 
ing there. Dr. Downs entered the Confederate ser- 
vice as a surgeon, and was located at Ft. Inge, Ft. 
Lancaster, Ft. Stockton and other army posts. After 
the war he returned home, and disposing of his hold- 
ings here he started to California with his family and 
a large party of immigrants, among them being Wil- 
liam Curtis, who was Bandera county's first sheriff, 
Joe Curtis, Mr. Snow and a man named Bowers. Two 
of Dr. Downs' sons, Ed and Henry Downs, are now 
living on the Nueces. 

While living on East \'erde Dr. Downs, accompan- 
ied by his son, Ed Downs, and Bladen Mitchell, start- 
ed over to Mitchell's ranch to attend Charles Scheide- 
montel, who had sustained a broken leg. They were 
attacked by a party of Indians, and Mitchell and Ed 
Downs were wounded, Mitchell being shot with a 
l)oisoned arrow. They outran the Indians and got 
back to the Downs ranch, and sent Calvin Dutcher 
to Bandera, A party of men went out there, among 
I hem being Geoige Hay, Robert Ballantyne, and (). 
B. Miles, arriving about three liours after the fight. 
They followed the trail of the Indians for some dis- 
tance, but the savages had such a good start they 
could not be overtaken. Both Ed Downs and Bladen 
Mitchell recovered from their wounds. 

At the time of this fight Dr. Downs was partially 
paralyzed, and had been in that condition for some 
time, but he attended all patients he could get to. 



48 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

EARLY DAYS IN OLD BANDERA. 

Judge C. W. Harris, of Medina, is one of the old 
timers of Bandera county, is Justice of the Peace of 
Medina Precinct, owns a nice home and a valuable 
bod\' of land there. He kindly furnished me with 
the following: 

*'My grandfather, Charles Jack, came to Bandera 
in 1857 and bought the A. Ebner Survey, about five 
miles north of Bandera, on the Bandera and Center 
Point road, the place still being known as the Jack 
Ranch. He improved the place as rapidly as possible, 
putting 200 acres in cultivation and working the same 
with slave labor up to about the close of the Civil 
War. He left Texas in 1866, and died in St. Louis, 
Mo., in August, 1867. I wish to here mention a feat 
performed by him which is known by the people living 
in Bandera at the time. In 1858, or 1859, he threw 
his saddle on a bay mustang pony, at his home near 
Bandera, and rode him through to his old home near 
Genesis, Illinois, unaccompanied by any one except a 
chance stranger here and there along the trail for a 
few miles. I remember when he arrived at his liome, 
and I rode that pony many times. His name was 
Jim, and he lived many years after that long journey. 
My grandfather returned to Texas after a short time, 
and we did not see him again until 1866, the war hav- 
ing cut off all communication between the two sec- 
tions of our country. 

"I left my home in Chicago in October, 1871, 
reaching Bandera in November, 1871. I came by rail 
to New Orleans, crossing the Mississippi on the ferry 
to Alexandria; thence by vail to Brashcn City, now 



Pioneer Hisfory of Bandera Counfy 49 

Morgan City; thence across the Gulf on one of the 
Morgan Line steamers (The Josephine) to (ialveston; 
and thence by rail to Columbus, the terminus of 
the railroad; thence to San Antonio by stage 160 
miles, it taking me sev^eral hours longer to travel the 
1()() miles than it did to come from Chicago to New 
Orleans, about 1200 miles. I stopped in San Antonio 
a short time, then took the El Paso stage for Hoerne. 
'Pap' Howard, known throughout West Texas, was 
was the driver. After remaining in Bocrne several 
days 1, with P. 1). (Pat) Saner, Sheriff Standerbach, 
and two other gentlemen whose names I do not re- 
member, came over to Bandera on horseback, travel- 
ing a trail from Boerne to the Bandera and San An- 
tonio road at the Prather place. This would hardly 
be considered a road now, as it consisted of two trails 
close enough together for a wagon wheel to run in 
each trail. Between J^oerne and the crossing of Ban- 
dera Creek there was just one house in sight of the 
road, that being the home of Marion Hodges and it 
was in Kendall county. The next house was on Ban- 
dera Creek, on the James Ranch now owned by J. A. 
Miller, and I thiid< Andrew Mansfield lived there at 
that time. Arriving in JJandcra we put up at flic 
hotel of Mrs. Hay, mother of Judge (leorge Hay. 
Schmidtke & Hay ran a general merchandise store in 
the rock building now occupied by Henry Stevens as 
a residence. General merchandise in those days in- 
cluded merchandise not now sold on the open market 
but obtainable by the worldly-wise in any town that 
pretends to be up-to-date, at somewhat higner pri( es 
than in the good old days. Bandera Lodge, No. 324, 
A. F. & A. M., Occupied the upper floor over the 



^0 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

Sclimidtke & Hay store, it having been chartered in 
June. 1870. There was a blacksmith shop where the 
Noonan store is now, and Charlie Gersdorff worked 
there. The Riverside Inn belonged to H. C. Dutt'y 
and was occupied by him and Charles Montague, Jr., 
as a residence. In the spring of 1872 Geissel & 
Scheidemontel opened a saloon where the Lincoln 
building now stands, and, to the best of my recollec- 
tion, it was some grand opening. In 1873 E. Iluff- 
meyer opened a store where the Montague residence 
is now located. His brother, Adolph, afterward went In 
with him, the firm being known asE. Huffmeyer & Bro. 
They built and for many 3'ears occupied the building 
now used by AY. J. Davenport & Co. At the time of 
my arrival ill Bandera the public officials were Judge 
Thornton, district judge; T. M. Paschal, district at- 
torney; (the district court then had jurisdiction in pro- 
bate matters, and if there was a county judge I do 
not remember him). Wm. E. Westerfield was district 
and county clerk, Thad C. Rine was sheriff, and I 
think Chas. Montague, vSr., was county surve,yor, as 
I know he was doing most of the surveying at that 
time; I ha\'e forgotten the names of the assessor and 
treasurer. Chas. Montague, Jr., was justice of the 
peace, and was elected district and county clerk in 
1872, holding that oflice about thirty years. H. C. 
Duify was the oidy attorn< y-at-law in Bandera then, 
and right here I want to say that my friend, Colonel 
Duffy, is the only man I have ever known that I never 
saw angry. He was always in a good humor, and 
lqv,ed the human family. At the time of my arrival 
ancl for some time thereafter, there was not a resident 
minister of the Gospel or a practicing physician with- 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 51 

in the county, but to the best of my knowledge and 
belief the morals and general health of the people 
were fully as good then as they are now. I am confi- 
(leiil I can verifj' this statement by the people of that 
day who are now living. 

"In the spring of 1872 Pat Saner and I sold to Sam 
Jones and P. C. (John) Clark the (i I and Circle S 
brands, estimating the cattle at 700 head, for a con- 
sideration of $5.00 per liead cash. Tlierc were a great 
many three and four-year-old beeves in the herd, but 
it was considered a good sale. Pat Saner did all tlie 
trading — all I had to do with it was to rake half of 
the money into a shot sack, that being my interest in 
the brands. The mone}' was counted out in Mexican 
doubloons, Mexican twenties and Mexican dollars on 
the table in the othce of the county clerk, wliich was 
in the log part of the house now o<:'cupied by Judge 
Hay. the hotel of Mrs. Hay occupying the rest of the 
house. At that time Bandera leceived mail weekly. 
It came from San Antonio to Comfort by stage, and 
Joe Heiiien, brother of J. P. Heinen of Bandera, car- 
ried it on horseback througii Elm l*ass to Bandera 
every Wednesday, waiting an hour or so. then return- 
ing to Conifort. I remember of only two newspnj)ers 
that came in the mail -the Galveston News and the 
Louisville ('ourier-Journal. We used to read them 
just a little at a time to make them last until \\\v 
next Wednesday'. I believe Bandera's first newspaper 
was started by a man named Stevenson in 1878. He 
sold out to John Guthrie in 1881, and the name was 
changed to The Bandera Bugle. Mr. Guthrie ran the 
Bugle until some time in the early 90s, when he uiov- 
ed to Boerne and acquired the Boerne Post, which he 



52 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

conducted up to the time of his death. The motto 
at the masthead of the Bugle read: 'Who tootetb 
not his own horn the same shall not be tooted.' In 
the early 80's William Hudspeth, attorney, and D. F. 
Chambers, a Methodist minister, started the Bandera 
Enterprise, which they later sold to George and 
Charles Fee. Chas. Fee died shortly afterward and 
George Fee owned and managed the paper until his 
death, then the plant was leased to different parties 
by the Fee estate until it was destroyed by fire. I 
was a paid-up subscriber to all three papers from their 
start to their finish, and have started in with the 
Bandera New Era, our present county paper, on a 
like proposition. In April, 1881, I brought my wife 
to Bandera, having gone to Chicago and married. 
Our six children were born in Bandera, one at the 
Buck Hamilton House, and five on the corner now 
occupied by Mansfield's store. Their names follow: 
Leila G. Berueffy (nee Harris), Ft. W^orth; Roy S. 
Harris, El Paso; W. Guy Harris, San Antonio: Hart 
James Harris, died in July, 1888, and buried in Ban- 
dera cemetery; Don M. Harris, Corpus Christi; Nell 
Shelley (nee Harris), Corpus Christi. 

"I have spent a little more than fifty years of the 
seventy-two years of my life in Bandera county, and 
should 1. perchance, live seventy-two years longer, I 
shall not change my residence. And again, if, when 
time is no more, I should be allowed to choose my 
abiding place for the endless ages, I would come back 
to Medina." 



Pioiieer fTlsfoi'ij of Band cm Coiuttn .7.7 

THOMAS A. LAXSON. 

Tom Laxson and his brotlier, Jesse Laxson, came 
to Bandera county from Middle Tennessee in 1857, 
and located on a tributary to the Medina river about 
11 miles above Bandera. This stream afterwards 
took the name of Laxson's Creek. Jesse Laxson 
lived there until 1870, when he moved to Atascosa 
countj" and died there in 1912. 

In 1866 Tom Laxson was married to Miss Rufana 
Chipman of Bandera, Justice of the Peace Oborski 
performing the ceremony. They have four children 
living, David Laxson of Elgin, Jesse Laxson of Beau- 
mont, Miss Hattie Laxson and Perr^' l^axson of 
Bandera. 

Mr. Laxson joined Capt, Bill Adams' Company, 
Second Texas Cavalry for frontier protection, enlist- 
ing at Piedras Negras Creek near Uvalde, and was 
stationed at Ft. Lancaster. While there he says he 
was taken desperately ill and was treated by the old 
Bandera county physician. Dr. Downs, who saved 
his life. While stationed at Ft. Lancaster, Mr. Lax- 
son was one of escorts provided for the overland mail 
between San Antonio and El Paso. When his enlist- 
ment expired he re-entered the service, being trans- 
ferred to San Antonio, and South Texas posts. He 
was at home on furlough when the war ended, and 
therefore never "surrendered." 

Mr. Laxson has seen many "ups and downs," dur- 
ing the many years he has lived in Bandera county, 
but he delights to meet his old comrades of b^^gone 
days and recount the thrilling events of pioneer days 
in old Bandera county. 



.74 Pioneer Hi story of Banilora Couniij 

CHARLES DE MONTEL, SR. 

Along in 1835 there came to the United States 
from Germany a young man named Charles Scheide- 
montel. He was of good family, well educated, and 
ambitious, and having read and heard of the wonder- 
ful opportunities in free America, he ran away from 
the Fatherland and came to Philadelphia, where he 
tarried for awhile, then came to Texas, which at that 
time had begun the task of throwing off the Mexican 
yoke to become a republic. Sam Houston's little 
army needed men. and Charles Scheidemontel enlisted 
w^itli the Texans. He reached the San Jacinto battle 
field just after the gl6rious victory had been won, 
and helped to guard Santa Anna while the Mexican 
dictator was Houston's prisoner. While in the army 
Mr. Scheidemontel often met (ieneral Houston and 
became intimately acquainted with him. One day 
the General overheard some of the soldiers taunting 
the young German about his long name, and after 
reprimanding the tormentors, he called Scheidemontel 
to him and gave him authority to shorten his name 
to Montel, or de Montel, and he did so, thereafter be- 
ing known as Charles de Montel. 

After Texas gained her independence he spent a 
number of years in San Antonio, and became asso- 
ciated with John James in the w^ork of survejdng the 
Henry Castro grant and the Bexar district. When 
the first Castro colonists reached Port Lavaca in 1843, 
Charles de Montel piloted them to their new home 
on the Medina river, and was present at the foundinji 
of Castroville in 1844. The same year he was mar- 
ried to Miss Justine Pingenot, a daughter of one of 



Pioneer History of Baihdi-ro Coiuitij oo 

the colonists. Fifteen children were born to them, 
seven of whom are still living: Cnarles de Montel of 
Camp Verde, Ed tie Montel, Mrs. Pauline Taylor, 
and Miss Mollie de Montel of Hondo, Robert de 
Montel of Castroville, and Oscar de Montel, who is 
now in South America. 

Mr. de Montel resided at Castroville until his 
death which occurred some time in the 80's, when he 
was in his 76th year. His wife died in 1898. A short 
time after locating with the colonists, Mr. de Montel 
built a sawmill at Castroville, later moving it up the 
river to about where the Mormon Camp was after- 
ward located, and after running it there awhile he 
moved it to the present site of Bandera in 1853. 
Having acquired a large bod}^ of land here. Charles 
de Montel, John James and John H. Herndon induced 
some Polish colonists to settle on the land, and thus 
established the settlement that made Bandera. Mr. 
de Montel often traded with the Indians and was held 
in high regard by them. It is related that the Indians 
once stole some horses at Castroville. Sometime later 
a friendly Indian rode one of the horses into the town 
and when the horse was recognized the Indian was 
seized, a rope was placed around his neck, and the 
colonists were preparing to swing him to the limb of 
a tree, when Mr. de ^Nlontel came uj). The Indian 
explained to him that he had secured the horse in a 
trade with other Indians, and soon convinced Mr. de 
Montel that such was the case, and he was released. 
Mr. de Montel convinced the colonists that no man, 
though an Indian, would liardly steal a horse and 
then deliberately ride the animal back into the com- 
munity from which it was stolen. 



.')(! Pioneer Histot'ij of Bouilera County 

CHARLES F. SCHMIDTKE. 

Charles F. Schmidtke was one of the pioneer 
builders of Bandera. He was born in Koenigsberg, 
(Germany, in 1839, and came to the United States in 
1856 to escape military service, which was compulsory 
in that country. He was 17 years old when he land- 
ed in New York, and secured a position in a flour mill 
on the North river a few days after arriving in this 
country, receiving a salary of $40 a month and his 
board and washing included. This was big money to 
the young emigrant, whose wages in the old country 
was only a very small sum each month. In 1860, 
when the war between the states broke out, he was 
offered a bounty and a bonus to enlist in the army, 
and he became a private in Company C, 18th Regi- 
ment, New York Volunteer Cavalry, serving in the 
ranks two years, but when it became known that he 
was a miller by trade he was taken out of the army 
and placed in a mill. When the war ended Mr. 
Schmidtke came South and for a time stayed in San 
Antonio, later going to Castroville, and then came up 
to Bandera and secured employment in F. H. Schla- 
doer's mill. This was in 1867. Schladoer owned a 
grist mill and a sawmill, and after working here sev- 
eral months Mr. Schmidtke went back to San Antonio 
and secured a good position in C. H. Guenther's flour 
mill. In 1868 he was married to Miss Amelia Oelze 
at San Antonio. Mr. Guenther paid him $75 per 
month and furnished a house for the newly married 
pair to live in. After a year in the Guenther^mill he 
decided to remove to Bandera and go into business 
for himself. Mr. Guenther offered him $100 per 



Pioneer History of Bafidcvd Coiuiiy 57 

month and the foremanship in the mill to remain with 
him, but he declined the offer, and came back to Ban- 
dera in 1869 and purchased a little grocery store from 
Eugene Oborski, which was located about where Mrs. 
John Adamietz lives. A short time after he had em- 
barked in the mercantile business, George Hay came 
and invited him to move his stock of goods down to 
his place and go in partnership with Hay & Davenport, 
who operated a store in the building now occupied as 
a residence by Henry Stevens. Thus the firm of 
Schmidtke, Hay & Davenport was formed. Schmidtke 
soon bought out the Srhladoer mill, and then he and 
Mr. George Hay bought the interest of Judge J. B. 
Davenport in the store and the firm became known 
as Schmidtke & Hay, the store being managed by Mr. 
Hay, while tiie mill was operated by Mr. Schmidtke. 
They also had the postoffice in the store. They 
began a system of improvements on the mill, putting 
in saws to cut shingles, and turn out good lumber. 
They also put in a Hour mill and ground wheat, the 
power being supplied by a turbine water wheel in the 
river. People from Hondo and New Fountain brought 
in loads of wheat for them to grind, and it often 
happened that many of the patrons had to wait over 
several days on account of so many people being in 
line ahead of them. Later on the firm erected a cot- 
ton gin in connection with the mill, and successfully 
ran it several years, until a Hood washed it all away, 
and it was never rebuilt. 

The firm's mercantile establishment prospered, 
and H. H. Carmichael came in as a partner, and two 
subs' anlial stone buildings were erected, one for the 



o8 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

store and the other for a saloon. These buildings 
now belong to the Bandera County Ranchmen & 
Farmers' Association, and are used as warehouses in 
which to store wool and mohair. 

In 1875 Mr. Schmidtke went to Junction City and 
established a branch store, remaining there about a 
year, but owing to ill health he was forced to s?ll out 
and return to Bandera. He had contracted illness 
from exposure while working in his mill here, and he 
was never afterward well. He finally sold his interest 
in the store at this place to Carmichael & Hay, and 
bought a ranch, the property that is now occupied by 
Dr. J. M. Rappold, and moved his family there and 
lived there until his death, which occurred in 1884. 
His funeral was conducted by the Masonic Lodge of 
Bandera, of which he was an active member. 

Surviving Mr. Schmidtke are only two„ children, 
Charles E. Schmidtke of Bandera, and Mrs. Emma 
Gates of vSan Antonio. 



CHARLES DE MONTEL, JR. 

Charles de Montel, Jr., was born at Castroville, 
Texas, February 3, 1848, and grew to manhood there. 
He was the eldest son of Charles de Montel, one of 
the founders of Bandera. In 1888 he was married to 
Miss Annie Steinle, and to them were born six chil- 
dren, three sons and three daughters. They are Lee 
and Richard de Montel of Bandera, Frank de Montel 
of Camp Verde. Mrs. Flossie Pue of Bandera, Misses 
Annie and Aileen de Montel of Camp Verde. 

Mr. de Montel, now in his 74tli year, is living on 



Pioneer Historij of Bandcvn Coiuity o9 

his ranch a few miles above Camp Verde, where he 
and his good wife extend the genuine frontier hospi- 
tality^ to all visitors. He moved to this ranch in 1900 
and engaged in stockraising, whicli he has successfully 
followed for many years. Mr. de Montel well re- 
members when Indians made frequent raids into the 
settlements and stole horses, and he often assisted in 
scouting expeditions. He says he was out cow-hunt- 
ing one day and while returning home he discovered 
two Indians waiting in ambush for him. He rode on, 
apparently unconcerned, until lie reached a certain 
point, then took a different course and made a wide 
detour to get home, successfully eluding the Indians. 
The (lerman and French settlers around Castroville 
lived in constant dread of the hostile Jndians. -who 
would come down the valley on their raids, murdering 
l)eople, killing stock and driving off horses. Being 
born and raised on the frontier, Mr. de Montel was 
inured to the dangers and hardships of those perilous 
times. Early in life he became an expert rider, and 
rode with more ease on the back of a mustang than 
he enjoys in a Ford car today. He could wield a 
lariat or shoot a rifle with precision, and though he 
is now past three-score and ten, his good right hand 
has not lost its cunning, nor is his aim untrue. In 
cow-oamp, in the branding pen, on the trail, or break- 
ing broncos, he was right on tl»e job. He made sev- 
eral trips uj) the trail, when cattle were driven to the 
northern markets, and had a full snnre of experience 
that fell to the lot of the real cowboys, trips full of 
excitement and thrills incident to stnmpedes, round- 
ups, night-herding, thunder storms, swollen streams, 
etc., that the so-called cowboy of today never sees. 



60 Pioneer History of Bdnclera County 

MRS. AMELIA SCHMIDTKE. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Darmstadt, 
Germany, November 6, 1845. and came to America 
with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Oelze in 1858. 
They came across the ocean in a saih'ng vessel and 
were thirteen weeks on the water. Landing at New 
York, they worked their way to San Antonio, where 
they located. Mr. Oelze drove an express wagon in 
that city many years, and amassed quite a sum of 
money in tliis line of business. Miss Amelia Oelze 
was married to Charles F. Schmidtke in 1868, and a 
year later, with her husband, moved to Bandera and 
lived in a house near where Mrs. John Adamietz now 
lives. After the death of Mr. Oelze, her mother came 
to make her home with Mrs. Schmidtke, and resided 
here many years, her death occurring January 17, 
1885, and she was buried in the Bandera cemetery. 

In 1884 Mrs. Schmidtke's husband died, and she 
was left with two little children, Charlie, aged 14, and 
Emma, aged 6, but with the assistance of friends she 
bravely took up the management of the home ranch, 
and soon paid off an indebtedness of over $1,000 
which the husband was owing at the time of his death. 
Her death occurred Februarj^ 21. 1914. 

THE BUCK FAMILY. 

E. Buck, Sr., was among the pioneer settlers of 
Bandera county. He was born in New York state, 
and came to Texas when a young man, reaching 
Bandera in 1873, bought a homestead and located ^t 



Pioneer History of Handera County 01 

Pipe Creek, where he remained until 1880, when he 
went to Del Rio and spent several years in that 
region. He died in San Antonio about fifteen years 
ago- His widow returned to Bandera to make her 
home, and died here about twelve years ago. Mrs. 
Buck, nee Ralston, was a native of Ireland, and came 
to the United States when a small child. Ten chil- 
dren of this family are living, eight of them today 
residing in Bandera county, and being among our 
most prominent citizens. They are: Eben Buck of 
Bandera, Mrs. Laura Callaham of Houston, Mrs. 
Harriett Newcomer of Pipe Creek, Mrs. Annie 
Callaham of San Antonio, Frank Buck of Bandera, 
Walter Buck of Pipe Creek, Robert Buck of Pipe 
Creek, Dan Buck of Bandera, Mrs. Mamie Buck of 
liandera, Mrs. Cora Mansfiekl of Bandera. 

Eben Buck, the eldest son lives near Bandera, 
and says he remembers when they moved to this 
county in 1873, and settled on Pipe Creek. Their 
neighbors there during the early daj^s were Silas 
Shirley and family, Mrs. Mathilda Newcomer and 
sons, John and Jack, Marion Hodges and family, 
W. H. White and family. J. L. Andress and family, 
the Prather family. Uncle Jerry Scott and family, 
John Scott and family. The first postmaster was 
A. M. Beekman, who also conducted a store at Pipe 
Creek. J. W. Hamilton later built a store there. 
Mr. Buck recalls that he stopped at Hamilton's store 
one day just a few minutes after two robbers held 
up the storekeeper, John Scott, Jim Holman and 
an Englishman named Williamson. There was con- 
siderable excitement over the daring hold-up, al- 
though the robbers secured only $7.00 in money. 



62 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

He also remembers the grasshopper pest in the 
sprmg of 1873. Corn was about knee high at the 
time the swarms of grasshoppers arrived, })ut in a 
few hours they cleared the fields. 



JOHN KINDLA CAME WITH COLONISTS. 

John Kindhi, with his wife and three children came 
over from Poland in 1855 with other colonists, and 
located at Bandera. A short time after their arrival 
here his wife died, and some time later he married 
Mrs. Margaret Cebula of Karnes county. Of this 
union three children were born. Today only one 
member of Mr. Kindla's family is living, Mr. E. F. 
Kindla of Bandera. John kindla died April 5, 1882, 
from injuries received several years before when he 
and Amasa Clark were attacked by robbers. ]Mrs. 
Kindla died March 25, 1894. 

E. F. Kindla, the sole survivor of this pioneer 
family, is a highly respected citizen of Bandera. He 
owns valuable farm and ranch property above and 
below the town of Bandera. His wife before marriage 
was Miss Mary Adamietz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
John Adamietz, another pioneer couple. Mr. and 
Mrs. Kindla were married in 1890, and have seven 
children Hving: Mrs, Agatha Berger of San Antonio; 
Frank Kindla, teller in the First National Bank at 
Mercedes; Mrs. Paulina Wright of Dallas- Mrs. Mary 
Harris of Omaha, Nebraska; John, Ignatius and Felix 
Kindla of Bandera. When the World War came on, 
two of tlieir sons entered the service, and one of them 
went overseas. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 63 

TOM CLICK HAS A NARROW ESCAPE. 

One day in 1866, Tom Click, one of the early set- 
tlers of Bandera countj^ dashed up to the ranch of 
John A. Jones on Myrtle Creek and called for Mr. 
Jones to come to him, as he had been wounded by 
Indians. He was bareheaded and his horse was al- 
most exhausted from fast running. He was assisted 
into the house and given first aid treatment for an 
arrow wound in the back, and a negro was sent to 
Bandera after a doctor, who, when he came and ex- 
amined the wound, pronounced that it had been made 
with a poisoned arrow. Mr. Click related that while 
coming through Bandera Pass he was ambushed by a 
party of Indians and he had a desperate run for his 
life. He headed for the Jones ranch, three miles 
away, with the Indians close behind him, shooting 
arrows and yelling loudly. One of the feathered shafts 
struck him in the back, but he pulled it out as he ran 
and used it as a switch to urge his horse faster. One 
big buck ran close enough to almost catch the bridle 
of Mr. Click's horse, but some bushes interferred and 
he (juickly outdistanced the Indian. As they came in 
sight of the Jones ranch the Indians gave up the chase. 

Mr, Click suffered great agony, and came near 
dying from the wound. It was believed that the ar- 
row spike had been poisoned with the venom of a 
rattlesnake, and the doctor had to administer strych- 
nine to counteract the poison. It was a long time 
before he finally recovered, but the flesh around the 
wound rotted out and fell away. Tne fleetness of his 
horse is all that saved Mr. Click from savage fury, 
as he was unarmed, and unable to defend himself. 



64 Pioneer History of Bandera Couniy 

PIPE CREEK PIONEERS. 

VVKITTEN BY MRS. MINNIE EDWARDS. PIPE CREEK. TEXAS. 

I greatly treasure the Tnemories of the early days, 
and remember many interesting episodes as handed 
down by my parents. Rev. J. W. Scott and wife, and 
my venerable grandfather, Jerry Scott. They were 
among the first settlers on Pipe Creek in Bandera 
county, coming here in May 1872, when Indians 
were making devastating raids into this section. 
Grandfather Jerry Scott settled on the East Prong 
of Pipe Creek, and built a house of cypress timber 
which he secured over on the Medina river, and had 
it made into lumber at the nearest sawmill, several 
miles away. He lived on this location many years 
and was known to all of the old settlers. His home 
was always open to preachers, and the circuit riders 
always made their headquarters there, among them 
being Jack Potter, "the fighting parson." Grand- 
father often made the old fashioned rawhide bottom 
chairs, and some of these chairs are still in use in 
this county. After the country settled up and the 
Indian raids were at an end. Grandfather moved to 
the town of Bandera and owned a nice home on the 
river, on the west side. While there their only 
daughter, Mrs. Maggie Carver, died, leaving her 
husband, Dick Carver, and four little children. 
Grandpa and Grandma Scott took the four chil- 
dren to raise and placed them in school until they 
were old enough to do farm work, then Grandfather 
bought a ranch north of Bandera, on Myrtle Creek, 
and moved there. Later he returned to Bandera and 
died there in 1894. The old home place there was 



Pioneer Hisior'ij of Bandera County 65 

washed away, with all improvements, in the great 
flood in 1900. Grandma Scott, who was known to 
all of the early settlers as ''Aunt Jane," made her 
home with her youngest son, John Scott, but died at 
my home in 1908. 

My father. Rev. J. AV. Scott, first settled on Red 
Bluff, a small stream about three miles east of Pipe 
Creek. I was born there November 28, 1872, being 
the second child. While we lived on Red Bluff, our 
nearest neighbor was Marion Hodges. Father often 
hauled cedar timber to San Antonio to sell to obtain 
supplies, and when he was on one of these trips, 
Mother, with her two children, went to spend the 
night with Mr. Hodges' family. The next morning 
she went home very early to milk the cows, and found 
a calf with an arrow sticking in its side, She hurried 
back to Mr. Hodges' and gave the alarm. A party 
of men was organized and took the trail of the Indians 
but did not overtake them. 

Fatner moved up on the headwaters of Pipe Creek, 
near (irandfather Jerry Scott's place, and liere the In- 
dians often slipped in and stole their horses. At one 
time some Mexicans discovered a bunch of Indians on 
a mountain near our place, painting and feathering 
themselves preparatory to an attack on father and a 
Mexican who were clearing land not far from the 
house. They hastened to notify us and the Indians, 
no doubt seeing they had been discovered, went out 
another way. At another time father hired a Mexi- 
can named Felipe to clear some land on the West 
Prong of Pipe Creek. He failed to come in one night 
and when search was made he was found dead — mur- 
dered by Indians. The place was afterwards called 



0(j Pioneer Hisfoinj of Bandera County 

Felipe Springs. My father built a house and we lived 
there many years. There were eight children in our 
family, seven girls and one boy, and all lived to be 
grown and married before ever tasting a dose of medi- 
cine from a doctor. Mother was a good nurse and 
always kept good homeopathic remedies for our ills. 

My father was raised on the frontier, in Comanche 
county, and was inured to all the dangers incident 
to pioneer life. He was converted in 1891, and be- 
came a faithful devoted minister in the Holiness 
Methodist church, and by his teaching of the Word 
of God so planted it in the minds of his children that 
they will never forget it. He died suddenly with 
paralysis of the heart May 18, 1915, at Polly's Peak, 
where he improved his last earthly' home. Mother 
was called to join him September 9, 1919. 

One of father's favorite songs was, **! am a Child 
of the King," the first and second stanzas and chorus 
reading as follows: 

My Father is rich in houses and lands. 

He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands; 
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold, 

His coffers are full — He has riches untold. 

Chorus- 
I'm the child of the King, the child of a King! 
With Jesus my Savior. I'm the child of a King. 

My Father's own Son, the Savior of men. 

Once wandered over earth as the poorest of them; 

But now He is reigning forever on high. 

And will give me a home in heaven bye and bye. 



Pioneer History of ISandera Couniy 67 

The first postoffice on Pipe Creek was in a little 
log house where Silven Odem now lives, and A. M. 
Beekman was the first postmaster. The first store 
was owned by Mrs. Marion Hodges on what is known 
as the old Hodges place, just under the hill on the 
west side of Pipe Creek village, where Mr. Hodges 
settled after he left Red Blurt'. 

The same year we came here also came Mr. Chris 
Anderson, a native of Denmark, who is still living on 
the place he settled so many years ago. He and his 
good wife are well advanced in years, both being near 
eighty years old They have always enjoyed good 
health and, despite many inconveniences, have raised 
and educated their children — two boys and two girls, 
(vharlie, Fred, Laura and Lillie Anderson. All grew 
to be useful and highly respected citizens. With the 
disadvantage of living about five miles from school 
these children managed to advance and finished in 
college. Charlie Anderson became a teacher, Fred 
Anderson became a physician, but died of influenza 
during the World War, Miss Lillie Anderson taught 
school a few years, and then married a Mr. Brown 
and is now living at Sanderson, Texas : Miss Laura 
Anderson married W. M. Wallace, and now lives at 
Pipe Creek. 



OS Pioneer History of Bandera County 

MRS. MARY JANE WALKER. 

Born in Claiborne Parisli, La., November 18, 1834, 
and now in the 88th year of her age, Mrs. Mary Jane 
Walker, nee Moore, looks serenely back upon the 
great span of years that interv^ene between her child- 
hood days and the glorious present, and rejoices that 
she has lived to see the wonderful changes that have 
taken place. Grandma Walker makes her home with 
her son, John Travis Walker, and family on Chalk 
Creek, Bandera county. She came to Texas with her 
parents in 1853, and located near Austin. On June 
22, 1857, she was married to William Andrew Walker, 
in Blanco county. After living in Blanco and Llano 
county for awhile she and her husband came to Ban- 
dera county that same year, 1857, remaining here 
awhile, then went back to Llano county. They re- 
turned to Bandera in 1866 and located on Laxson's 
Creek, afterwards buying the Joe W. Minear place 
there. Nine children were born to them, four of 
whom are still living, Mrs. Cynthia Artie Reed of 
Lima, John Travis Walker of Bluff, Joseph Daniel 
Walker of Seymour, Mrs. Selina Argie Ferguson of 
Pear Valley. 

One of the early day trageilies was the killing of 
Mrs. Walker's brother, Joseph W. Moore, and his wife 
by Indians above Medina, an account of which is 
given elsewhere in this book. Another tragedy that 
brought sorrow into her home was the killing of Mrs. 
Walker's mother, Mrs. William Moore, in 1873. Mrs. 
Moore was living at the Walker home on Laxson's 
Creek, and one day started to walk over to the home 
of a neighbor, Mrs. Curtis, about a mile away. The 



Piniwer TTistoi'ij of Bandera Cniiiify (19 

Indians came upon her when she was only a short dis- 
tance from the house, and shot and lanced her to 
death. The family, hearing her screams, rushed out 
in time to see the Indians fleeing. Mr. Walker has- 
tened to where she had fallen and found her in a 
dying condition. It is believed that this band of 
Indians were led by a renegade white man. but his 
identity was never satisfactorily established. They 
passed on down the valley, and killed a horse* on Pipe 
Cieek. Mrs. Moore was buried next day at the Ar- 
nold cemetery. She left four children, but Mrs. 
Walker is the only one now living. 

Mrs. Walker's husband, William Andrew W^alker, 
died November 25, 1909, aged 82 years. He was a 
brother to James W. Walker who now lives on Lax- 
son's Creek. Nearly forty years ago Grandma Walker 
obeyed the gospel and was baptized into Christ, dur- 
ing a meeting that was held by Elder Alexander, one 
of the earliest gospel preachers to visit this section. 
She has remained faithful all these years and. not- 
withstanding the infirmities of age she seldom misses 
thr worship on the Lord's Day. 

In 1897 her son, John Travis Walker, bought a 
ranch tract on Chalk Creek, built a home, and has re- 
sided there ever since. He was married January 20, 
1897, to Miss Myrtie Yoast of Laxson's Creek. They 
have three children, John Travis, Jr., of Seymour. 
William and Clara, at home. Mr. Walker, though 
quite small at the time his grandmother was killed, 
remembers seeing the Indians running away after 
they had committed tho brutal (leed. 



70 Pimippr Ulfifoj'n of Bavdpvn County 

F. M. HODGES. 

One of the early settlers on Pipe Creek, in Ban- 
dera county, was Francis Marion Hodges, who came 
to this section some time in 1870, and pre-empted a 
homestead of 160 acres on Red Bluff Creek, moving 
his familj' thereto, and lived there for a number of 
years. He sold this pre-emption to a German named 
Finck and then moved to Pipe Creek, where he 
bought 160 acres from a man named Munday. Here 
he resided until his death, which occurred February 
21, 1888. Mr. Hodges came from Missouri to Texas 
in 1859, and located in Erath county, and afterwards 
lived in McCulloch and Kendall counties. When he 
came to Bandera county he became the first settler 
on Red Bluff Creek. He was known to all of the old 
timers and held in high esteem. Wheli he died he 
left a wife and six children. Mrs. Hodges died at San 
Antonio in 1892. One daughter, Mrs. Emma McKeen, 
died in San Antonio several years ago. The surviving 
children are Mrs Mary Beekman of California, John 
F. Hodges of Bandera, Mrs Annie Jacobson of Rock- 
port, Texas; James N. Hodges, a merchant of 
Junction, Texas; Francis M. Hodges a ranchman of 
Junction, Texas. 

His son, John F. Hodges, married Miss Ollie Lee 
in Anderson county, and now lives in Bandera. Mrs. 
Hodges is Bandera county's efficient treasurer. 
They have four children, two girls and two boys, 
Rufus M. Hodges of Beaumont, Mrs. Verna E. 
Wallace of San Antonio, Miss Emma Hodges and 
John Franklin Hodges of Bandera. 



Pionci'v HixtoTif of Baiidfra (^nnnfrf 71 

J. A. V. PUE. 

One of the best known citizens of Handera county 
was Mr. J. A. V. Pue, who died in Bandera February 
20, 1918. Mr. Pue was born near ?:ilicott City, Md., 
July 20, 1841. He graduated from Dickinson College, 
Carlisle, Penn.. in 1859, enlisted in the Confederate 
Army at the beginning of the war, and served thi-ough- 
out the four years of conflict. He was wounc'ed at 
the battle of Gettysburg. He came to Texas in 1865, 
and to Bandera county in 1866. locating ten miles 
northwest of Bandera town, on Hick's Creek, where 
he built a cypress log cabin and lived there many 
years. This cabin is still standing. During a period 
of the reconstruction days after the war, when the 
county's affairs were badly tangled and needed a mas- 
ter hand to adjust them, Mr. Pue was appointed county 
judge, and served very acceptably for somr time, or 
until he resigned to devote his attention to his ranch 
interests. He was married in Bandera April 5, 1882, 
to Miss Jeanie L. Carpenter, a granddaughter of Gov- 
ernor Isaac Shelby of Kentucky. Six children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. Pue. four of whom are living, 
Arthur V. Pue, Miss Nannie Pue, Miss Pauline Pue, 
who reside at the old homestead, and Percy A. Pue, 
who lives at Port Neches, Texas. Mrs. Pue died 
July 28, 1902. 

The eldest son, Arthur V. Pue, is a prominent citi- 
zen of Bandera, and is a successful stockman. His 
wife before marriage was Miss Flossie de Montel, 
daughter of Charles de Montel, a pioneer citizen of 
this section. They have six children. 

The other son, Percy A. Pue, married Miss Virginia 
Coorpender, of the Medina community. They have 
resided at Port Neches the past four years. 



r,'? Pi on err Hl.^tnvi/ of pKnidpra Coiivfj/ 

MURDER OF MR. AND MRS. MOORE. 

The following appeared in the San Antonio Light, 
April 2, 1921. and gives sucli full account of the kill- 
ing of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Moore that the article 
is here reproduced: 

Center Point, Texas, April 2, 1921.— The death 
here on March 21 of Mrs. Amanda Lee, 57 years old, 
recalled one of those early day tragedies which so often 
cast gloom over the frontier communities. Mrs. Lee 
was born in Blanco county in 1863, and came to Ban- 
dera couhty when quite young with her parents, Joseph 
Walker Moore and Elizabeth Moore. They settled 
on the Medina river, about eight miles above the 
present Medina City. They built a comfortable fron- 
tier home and lived in peace and quiet until 1872. 
Other members of the family were William, 11; Alfred 
7; John Travis, 6; George Washington, 4, and Mary 
Ann, infant. On Sunday, July 4, 1872, Mr. Moore 
went visiting in a wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, 
having his wife and four of the children with him. 
Thej' were Amanda, who was ten years old at that 
time, and John George and Mary Ann. William and 
Alfred were left at the home of John Walker, uncle by 
marriage. In the evening while returning from the 
visit and near home, Mr. Moore got out of the wagon 
in order to drive carefullj^ dow n a steep hill into the 
bed of a small creek. A band of Indians were lying 
in wait here, aware that someone was coming by the 
noise of the wagon rattling over the rocks. The first 
intimation Mr. Moore had of the presence of Indians 
was the exclamation of Amanda, "Papa, there is some 
men!" The Indians had just raised up from thoir 



Pioneer Hisfory of Bandera Coiinlji 73 

place of concealment and one of them shot an arrow 
into Mr. Moore and mortally wounded him. He tried 
to get back into the wagon but was not able to do so 
and after holding on to the wagon bed a few moments 
sank back and expired. Mrs. Moore was on the 
wagon seat with the baby in her arms and an Indian 
shot an arrow into her breast with such force that it 
passed through her body. She fell backwards into 
the wagon, dead. Amanda took the baby and held 
it in her arms during all of this exciting time. The 
oxen, being scared, ran off with the wagon and only 
one Indian followed. He kept to the side of it and 
tried to kill the children with a butcher knife. He 
repeatedly stabbed at the baby but Amanda saved its 
life by jerking the child to one side. It was wounded 
however, in the back of the neck. Amanda also re- 
ceived a bad cut in the side. George, the four-year- 
old boy was wounded with the knife on tlie back of 
the neck. The Indian tried to pull John Travis out 
of the wagon at the rear end but he hung on and the 
Indian could not get him out. 

The house of John Walker was not far off and the 
Indian finally abandoned his efforts to kill the chil- 
dren and left them. John Travis was the only one 
unhurt, and when the Indian left, stopped the oxen 
and turned them towards Mr. Walker's. Mr. Walker 
was away from home that day and his family seeing 
the Indians some time during the day, ran away. 
When Mr. Walker returned in the evening and found 
his folks gone he was very uneasy and started out to 
hunt for them. He met tlie Moore wagon and as 
soon as he learned what had happened he went to the 
sceni' of the killing. The dead were buried and the 



7 A Pioneer History of Bandera County 

children taken care of in the home of Mr. Walker un- 
til Joe Smith, an uncle, came from Blanco county, 
near Round Mountain, and carried them away. Not 
long after the killing of Mr. Moore and his wife the 
Indians made another raid and killed Mr. Moore's 
mother. The old lady was going to see Mrs. Curtis 
who was sick and a band of Indians attacked and 
killed her near the house of Mr. Walker. He heard 
her screaming and armed himself and repaired to the 
scene as soon as he could but the Indians had done 
their work quickly and were gone. Mrs. Moore was 
lying on her face, having been lanced to death. 
These raiding bands were followed by settlers but 
the county being mountainous and brushy eluded a 
successful pursuit and made their escape. 

The body of Mrs. Lee was carried back and buried 
near the old home and the graves of her parents. Be- 
sides her husband, Joseph Lee, she left four daughters, 
Mrs. Mary Neill of Camp Verde, Mrs. Eulia Bartley 
of Center Point, Mrs. Lexia Reed who lives near 
Medina City, and Miss Janey Ray Lee; a sister, Mrs. 
Mary Ann Turner who was with Mrs. Lee when she 
died, lives in San Antonio. Her husband Samuel P. 
Turner, is in the employ of the government. Mrs. 
Turner is the baby whose life was saved by her brave 
sister during the Indian attack. 



'to 



LIVED IN A POLE PEN. 

John F. Hodges was raised in Bandera county and 
tells of many interesting things that happened during 
his boyhood days. He says: 

"When my father, Marion Hodges, settled on Red 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 75 

Bluff Creek in 1870, this was a wild country, all open 
and full of deer, turkey, bear, wild hogs and wild In- 
dians. Our home was a pole pen with a tent stretched 
inside . Our nearest neighbor, a man named Granger, 
lived across the mountains, eight miles away. Every 
light moon the Indians would come into the country 
to steal horses. One time, when father was away 
from home, they stole two mares and colts from us 
but the animals got away from them and came running 
home. One of them was shot between the shoulders 
with an arrow and the other was lanced in the neck. 
We put them in the pen and mother took a gun, and 
made me hold an old flintlock rifle, and we guarded 
those horses until father returned. In those days we 
sometimes had school two or three months in a year. 
My brother, James N. Hodges, and myself rode to 
Pipe Creek to school, a distance of nine miles. We 
each carried a cap and ball pistol for we did not know 
when Indians might attack us. Our school house was 
made of pickets, covered with grass and had a dirt 
floor. The benches were made of split logs. 

"P'reighting was done with ox teams. Flour was 
$14 per hundred, and sugar and coftee were scarce. 
The next settler was Andrew Prather, who located 
three miles east of Pipe Creek on what is now known 
as the John Crist place. In 1871 Silas Shirley and 
W. H. Wliite settled near Pipe Creek: in 1872 Felix 
Newcomer located in that vicinity, and later Eben- 
ezer Buck came there. Old Man Simpson settled on 
Red Bluft' about seven miles below us." 

Mr. Hodges made a number of trips *'up the trail" 
with cattle to Kansas and the northern markets dur- 
ing early days. 



76 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

JAMES WASHINGTON WALKER. 

J. W. Walker, who lives on Laxson's Creek, three 
miles east of Medina, was born in Grimes county, Tex. 
December 25, 1847. His father, Jesse Walker, a San 
Jacinto veteran, died when the subject of this sketch 
was quite small. Sometime in the 50's the family 
moved to Gonzales county. In 1862, when James 
Walker was fifteen years old, he came to Bandera 
county and worked for Berry C. Buckelew, herding 
cattle for $7 per month, which place he held all winter, 
then went to Camp Verde where he had two brothers 
in the Confederate service. He tried to enlist at 
that time but Major Lawhon, in command of the 
troops stationed there, would not accept him because 
he was too young. Sometime later, however, he suc- 
ceeded in getting into the service, and a few days 
after his enlistment four of the companies at Camp 
Verde were transferred to South Texas, leaving only 
a few men to garrison tlie post and look after the 
camels there. Henry Ramsey was in charge of the 
camels at the time and young Walker was put to 
herding them. He says the animals, numbering 
about 75 head, were a source of great annoyance and 
trouble. They ate but little grass, and could not get 
up the rough places to get to the brush which they 
had to eat. Through the winter they were 
fed on corn that had to be brought from San Antonio. 
Mr. Walker now has a bell which was used on those 
camels, aud prizes it very highly as a relic of those 
frontier days. While he was at Camp Verde there 
was also there an Armenian and a Greek driver who 
had been brought to this country with the camels, 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 77 

The Armenian waa called "Hi-jolly," from the pecu- 
liar call he uttered when herding or managing the 
camels. Mr. Walker says he met this Armenian at 
Aguacalientes, on the Gila river in Arizona, several 
years later. At the outbreak of the war between the 
states, Camp Verde was taken over by the Confeder- 
ate forces under Gen. Ben McCulloch, and remained 
under Confederate control until the war ended, when 
the post again passed to the United States, and a 
small force of Federal troops were placed there. 
While these federals were there Eugene Oborski and 
a man named Teinen took a contract to furnish hay 
for the gov^ernment stock. This hay was cut in the 
vicinity of the place now owned by L. N. Stevens, 
and Mr. Walker was one of the hands employed to 
cut it. 

In 1869 Mr. Walker went to California with a 
herd of 1500 mixed cattle belonging to Damon Slator 
of Llano, Mr. Slator being his own boss. Those who 
went on this trip were Jim and Charlie Moss, Jim 
Walker, Alf Anderson, Bill Denison, a man named 
Ferryman, John Dupont. John and Riley Billings, 
Billie Click, a German named Mahaley, Jack Hamil- 
ton, and Damon Slator. They took a route up 
through the Concho country to the Fecos and crossed 
at Horsehead Crossing, out by old Fort Stanton, 
through Tularosa \ alley, across the Sacramento 
Mountains to the Gila river, crossing the Colorado 
river, passing Tucson and Fort Yuma, and went on to 
the Winters Ranch in California where they delivered 
the herd. On the trip they had some trouble with 
Indians, particularly with some of the Fima tribe, 
who were trying to run a bluff to secure some cattle 



78 Pioneer Jlisfory of Handera County 

from a herd belonging to a man named Crockett Riley. 
Mr. Walker and several of the Slator hands went to 
Riley's assistance and found him surrounded by about 
80 Indians. They were off their reservation, and did 
not really want a scrap, so when they were fired into 
they hastily retreated. Mr. Walker killed the chief* s 
horse at a distance of 500 yards. He was later ar- 
rested by the Indian agent, and Slator gave the In- 
dians five head of cattle to satisfy their claims for 
loss of the chief s horse. 

After delivering the cattle at the Winters Ranch 
the cowboys scattered, and only two of them, Billings 
and Riley, came back to Texas together. Mr. Walker 
went to Los Angeles and San Francisco and struck 
up with a man named Jacob Sanders who was from 
Ohio, and they decided to go to New York. Accord- 
ingly they secured passage on a steamer, the Golden 
City, which sailed one Sunday morning. On the fol- 
lowing Tuesday the steamer was wrecked in Mexican 
waters and the crew and 450 passengers were forced 
to take to life boats and landed on the barren coast. 
In company with a guide the shipwrecked people 
walked a distance of twenty-five miles to a cove, and 
were there taken aboard a vessel that carried them 
back to San Francisco. While on the coast the^' 
were without food and had but very little water from 
Tuesday until Saturday. As Walker and Sanders 
had paid transportation to New York, the steamship 
company allowed them passage on another vessel, 
and they again started. He says they crossed the 
Isthmus of Panama, and took a big steamer which 
carried them across the Gulf of JNIexico and ran direct 
to Ne\\ York. Arriving in that city, Mr. Walker de- 



Pioneer tiistorij of Bandera County 79 

cided he had seen enough of the world and imme- 
diately started back to Texas by water, reaching Key 
West, Fla., and from there proceeded to Galveston, 
and when he hit land again it was to hike straigrit for 
home. He had been absent one year and four months, 
and came back rich in experience, but mighty poor 
in pocket. On the same day he was shipwrecked off 
the Mexican coast, February 22, 1870, his brother, 
Riley Walker, was killed by Indians on Bell Moun- 
tain in Llano county. 

On February 10, 1864, Mr. Walker was happily 
married to Miss Melvina Bandy of Bandera county. 
To them have been born 13 children, 11 of whom are 
still living: Thomas Walker, Mrs. Ada Moseley, Mrs. 
Alice Smith, Jeff Walker, all of San Antonio; Jim 
Walker, killed in Oklahoma by a falling tree; Jesse 
Walker, died in infancy; Mrs. Ida Fines of Tuff'; C. 
C. Walker of Caddo, La.. R. L. Walker of Medina; 
Mrs. May Davis of Vanderpool; Miss Myrtle Walker 
of Medina; Mrs. Ruby Neeley and Charlie Walker of 
of Yoakum. 

In 1895 Mr. W alker located on his present home- 
site, where he has resided all these years, quietly 
following farming for an occupation and raising his 
sons and daughters to be useful men and women. 
He has had an active part in the development of the 
country, and recalls many interesting events that 
transpired in this section. He remembers when 
Cirandpa Stanard and his son, Harvey Stanard, Sr., 
located on Laxson's Creek. Mrs. Stanard taught 
school in that neighborhood in the early 70's. The 
Walker and Stanard families were neighbors for many 
years, and the children grew up together. 



8d Pioneer History of JBandera County 

P. H. MAZUREK. 

PhilHp H. Mazurek was born in Prussia Poland, 
May 1, 1855, his parents coming to America when he 
was eight months old. They came to Bandera, and 
his father, Thomas Mazurek, purchased 49 acres of 
land just above the village for $350, on long time. 
Mrs. Mazurek died in 1865. leaving four children, two 
of whom are still living, Phillip Mazurek of Bandera, 
and Theodore Mazurek of Groom, Texas. Jn 1866 
Thomas Mazurek was married to Miss Mary Gruska, 
and to them were born four children, Julius, Luke, 
Mary and Estaza, all living. Mr. Mazurek died in 
1893, and his wife died in 1820. 

Coming to Bandera when in his infancy, Phillip 
H. Mazurek, the subject of this sketch, grew to man- 
hood here, and has resided in the county continuously 
over 66 years. In 1879 he was married to Miss Rosa 
Kalka in San Antonio, who for forty years was his 
faithful helpmeet and companion, until death claimed 
her in 1918. To this union 16 children were born, 
those now living being Victor Mazurek of Bandera, 
Silvester and Joe Mazurek of Utopia; Kasper, Tom, 
John, Frank and Raymond Mazurek of Bandera; 
Stephen ]\Iazurek now in the U. S. Navy; Mrs. Vic- 
toria Lines of Monclova, Ohio; Mrs. Gertrude Dugos 
of San Antonio, Mrs. Eva Anderwald, Mrs. Paulina 
Halamuda, Mrs. Helen Jureczki, and Miss Frances 
Mazurek of Bandera. 

Mr. Mazurek talks interestingly of the early times 
in Bandera. lie says game was i)lentiful in the woods 
and he often killed deer and turkey on the outskirts 
of the tillage. When a wedding occurred in the com- 



Pionp.er History of Bandera Coiiniy SI 

muiiity it was the occasion for a great celebration, 
the reveh'y sometimes histiiig three or four days. He 
recalls the time wlien John Diigos and Miss Frances 
Kaika were married in 1879, and what a great time 
was enjoyed by the guests. Mr. Mazurek went to 
Indian Creek spring to haul a barrel of water. He 
was accompanied by Lawrence and Clements Kalka, 
both small boys, and when they had filled the barrel 
they discovered a big deer under a bkitt" in the creek 
below. Mr. Mazurek took a rope and stealthily a}>- 
proached the bluff and when just above the buck lie 
deftly twirled the rope and droi)ped it over Liic 
animal's antlers. Then some real fun began. The 
buck cut up all kinds of capers, but Mr. ^lazurck 
anchored him to a tree and weid forward and with 
his pocket knife cut the deer's throal. Thus he pro- 
vided plenty of meat for the big wedding feast that 
followed. Judge Davenport and the Widow Cosgrove 
attended this wedding, Mr. Mazurek says, and were 
guests of honor. Cakes, pies, plenty of beer and 
whiskey were provided and the event ended with a 
big dance. The wedding celebration started on 
Tuesday and ended the following Thursday. 

In the early days shingle-making was the chief 
industry, and Mr. Mazurek became an expert in this 
line of work. The shingles were made from cypress 
blocks which had been sawed into 32-inch lengths, 
twice the length of the ordinary shingle. These 
blocks were hauled up from the river bottoms, then 
cut in two, marked off to the proper thickness, split 
and rived with a froe knife and wooden mallet, then 
taken to the old shaving horse and trimmed to a 
feather edge with a drawing knife. They would be 



82 Pioneer Sistoi'ij of Bandera County 

stacked in huge piles to season, and afterwards put 
up in bundles of 1,000, and in due time hauled to 
market. One of the big ox-wagons used for hauling 
them usually carried about 25,000 shingles, and in 
San Antonio they brought about $4.50 per thousand. 
A good shingle maker could make a thousand shingles 
per day. Mr. Mazurek says Joe Kindla and i\.masa 
Clark were the best and fastest he ever knew. The 
road to San Antonio was very bad, especially at the 
point known as the "Slide-otf," and it was so called 
from the fact that in crossing that hill the load would 
often slide off the wagon. To prevent this, a big 
piece of cypress timber, r-alled the binding pole, had 
to be placed across the load to keep it in place, and 
even then there w^as danger of the wagon turning 
over. The wagons in use then were home-made and 
constructed of elm and cypress timber, the wheels 
being solid wooden slabs or cross pieces of wood. 
Thousands of shingles were manufactured here, one 
tree yielding as high as 30,000 shingles. 

Mr. Mazurek still has in his possession a cross-cut 
saw which his father purchased from Davenport & 
Hay in 1864, at $1.20 per foot, the saw being nine 
feet long. It is still in good condition, although he 
often used it in sawing stone. 

In speaking of the early merchants of Bandera he 
says Frank Jureczki owned a store on the site where 
Albert Jureczki now lives, and sold whiskey at 25 
cents a quart, or he would trade a gallon of the oil 
of gladness for a bushel of corn. 

When Schmidtke & Hay were engaged in business 
in Bandera they took a contract to furnish a certain 
amount of lumber and shingles to the government 



Pioneer Eisionj of Bandera County 83 

for some buildings at Fort Concho. A number of 
ox-teams were put on the road, Mr. Mazurek driving 
one of these teams, seven yoke of oxen, and hauled 
about 2,000 feet of lumber on his load. Joe Minear 
was guide and hunter for the teamsters, and kept 
them supplied with plenty of fresh meat on the trip. 
Joe and Gabe Anderwald, Constant Dugos, Charlie 
Haiduk, Jim Lewis, Joe Click, and a negro, Bill 
Hardy, were the teamsters. Mr. Mazurek says he 
also hauled lumber to San Antonio in those days, for 
which Ed Steves of that city paid five cents per foot 
or $50 per thousand. 

In 1902, Mr. Mazurek went out in New Mexico 
prospecting, seeking a better country than Bandera, 
but after spending several months there he came 
back to his old home content to remain liere for the 
balance of his time on earth. 




"^ x;;.. 



The Old Carmichael & Hay Store 



S4- Pioneer History of l^andera County . 

EXPERIENCES OF J. P. HEINEN, SR. 

J. V. Heineii, Sr., a highly respected pioneer 
citizen of Bandera county, writes interestingly of his 
experiences here in the early days. His narrative 
will be read and appreciated by many of the old 
timers who have moved away, as well as by all who 
live here now and know him: 

During the war between the states I lived with my 
parents in Kendall county, near Comfort, I often 
passed through the town of Bandera hauling corn for 
the Confederate government to D' Ranis, driving a 
team of eight or ten yoke of oxen hitched to a heavy 
wagon, hauling three tons to the load. In 1866 I 
came over to Bandera with one of my brothers and 
we engaged in the mercantile business, building a 
two-story stone building in the valley east of the 
Riverside Inn. This stone building was washed away 
in the big rise in the Medina river in 1900. In those 
days, after the war, there was Yevy little money in 
circulation in this section and I sold m,y goods mostly 
on credit, for which I received shingles in payment, 
that being the only commodity the people had to i)ay 
with. To make u\y collections I made one or two 
trips every month on horsel>ack lo ihe very head of 
the Medina river, buying shingles and collecting them 
for debts due me, and having them hauled to San An- 
tonio and sold for cash. At that time there was no 
Medina City. Mr. George Smith lived in a log cabin 
two miles above the present site of Medina, on what 
is now known as the Goodman place. I often spent 
the night with Mr. Smith on my trips np the river. 
He was unmarried at that time, lived alone, and al- 



Plonppv Hisfoi'if of Bdndcvfi Cmiiity .'?/7 

ways seemed delighted to have inc come and stay 
with him. Like all frontiersmen, Mr. Smith was a 
fine old gentleman, and I treasured his friendship 
most highly. There were no houses between Laxson's 
Creek and Mr. Smith's place, and only shingle camps 
beyond where he lived. The Indians came in almost 
every full moon, and when I left home I had no assur- 
ance that I would get back alive, but 1 was fortunate 
in never meeting the Indians face to face, although I 
have been very near them a number of times. 

I recall one instance during the time I was driving 
the ox team to D'Hanis that I will mention here. A 
band of Indians passed my wagon one night driving 
a bunch of horses. It was a bright moonlight night 
and I could plainly see them as the,y passed. The 
next morning seven or eight men came to my cam]) 
and asked me if I heard any horses passing the night 
before, and I put them on the trail. The Indians 
hail stolen the horses near Quihi, and were in a hurry 
to get them out of the country. They probably saw 
my camp, but as they wanted horses and not oxen, 
they did not molest me. 

I have seen a nund)er of men that were killed by 
Indians. A Mr. Hardin with his family lived wheie 
Matl. Adamietz now lives across the river from Ren 
Bat to. His son, a boy about 16 years old, went bee 
hunting over on the divide between Indian Creek and 
the Middle Verde. He burned some beeswax in order 
to attract the bees, and thus locate their cave or tree. 
When night came he did not return home, and his 
parents, becoming uneasy, sent a man to town to get 
help to make a search for him. About ten of us start- 



86 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

ed out, and after hunting all night we found him next 
morning in Middle Verde Creek. He was lying in 
shallow water, face downward, stripped of his cloth- 
ing, and had an arrow sticking in his back. We put 
a blanket around the body, tied it on a horse behind 
O. B. Miles, who took the dead boy home. Another 
time, Polly Rodriguez sent a runner to town saying 
the Indians had chased a man named Gonzales to his 
place. As we were readj^ to go on a scout we went 
over to Privilege, six miles from town, in about an 
hour, but the Indians were gone. We followed them 
for some distance. About a mile above where the San 
Antonio road crosses Pipe Creek they killed a man 
who had been digging post holes. I think his name 
was Reeves, but I am not certain. These and other 
experiences like them are sad remembrances of those 
frontier days. 

In 1870 we had a big rise in the Medina river, the 
water reaching a depth of nine feet in my store, and 
ruined all of my goods to such an extent that I de- 
cided to quit the mercantile* business and follow the 
carpenter's trade. In that same year I was appointed 
to a position on the state police force, an organization 
created for the protection of frontier counties against 
outlaws. There were many bad men on the frontier 
in those days, generally in sparsely settled regions 
where they thought they could do as they pleased. 
To arrest and bring to trial these criminals was the 
purpose of the organization of the state police. From 
one to three men in each county were appointed on 
the force. I was the only one in Bandera county, and 
I served two years, resigning at the end of the second 
year. The pay was $60 per month, and we had tg ' 



Pioneer Hisforij of Band era Comity S7 

furnish our own equipment, horses, arms, etc. The 
pay was wholly inadequate considering the risks we 
were constantly called upon to face. 

In 1868 I married Miss Ida Schlarlor. We raised 
a large familjs six sons and two daughters, and I am 
happy to say all are still living and very devoted to 
their parents. 

In 1873 we organized a minuet com])any. with 
Robert Ballantyne as lieutenant, and 19 private >. It 
was for protection against Indian depredations. The 
state furnished arms and ammunition; we furnished 
our own horses and other equipment. We were to 
scout no less than ten days in each month, for which 
we received $20 per month for eaeh man. However, 
very often we were out twice that length of time, 
when Indians were in the country, for which we re- 
ceived nothing above the $20 mentioned. At the end 
of two years the company was disciiarged and the 
arms were returned to the state. 

In the fall of 1875 I moved my family to San An- 
tonio where I worked for two years at the builder's 
trade, doing fairly well, but on account of my wife's 
health I moved back to Bandera. In 1880 I bought 
the ranch property where I now live. I have worked 
hard all of my life to decently raise my family, and 
I am happy to sa^^ I have succeeded in doing so. \ 
have seen many changes occur in old Handera county 
during the time 1 have been here. Men have come 
and gone, manners and customs have changed; the 
wilderness, where only a few hundred people lived on 
very small farms far between, has given place to a 
greater population of thrifty enterprising people and 
the land put in a high state of cultivation, with 



SS Pi on en- TJifitnnj of Band ova Coiuity 

farm after farm all over the county. It is certainly a 
revelation to one who knew the early days, to behold 
the transformation. First ox teams, later horse and 
mule teams, now truck or auto, and the convenience 
of the telephone — f'hanges no one dreamed of fifty 
years ago. 

I have gone through many hardships in my life- 
time — privations such as the present generation does 
not have to endure. The people of today have many 
things we did not have, but with all the luxuries and 
comforts of the present time, I doubt if thej' are bet- 
ter satisfied than we were in the olden days. I am 
glad I lived the pioneer life. Neighbors lived far 
apart, but were the best of friends whenever they 
met. There were no classes, no social lines drawn — 
everybody was your friend. The almighty dollar 
played no role in our social relations then. What 
little anyone had everybody was welcome to it if in 
need. Each one helped his neighbor, not expecting 
pay for it. Alas, it is different now. Unless there is 
money in sight you don't get very far. I am now 75 
years old, and as I fondly look back to the long, long 
ago my thoughts revert to my friends of that day, and 
my heart becomes sad when I realize that many of 
them have passed on to the great unknown, while 
others have moved away to distant parts. Some of 
them yet remain here, and when I meet them it is 
with a hearty hand-clasp that betokens the life-long 
comradeship and brotherly love which has endured 
through all these years. May the Almighty God 
bless and protect them, as He has protected me and 
my family, is my earnest wish. 



Pioneer History of Bandera Coiinfij SO 

H. C. WRTGHT. 

H. C. Wright was born in Tennessee, lived a few 
years in Kentucky, and came to Texas in October, 
1875. He settled at Waco, where he lived eight years, 
a/id then came to Bandera county in 1884. Before 
he left Waco he leased 320 acres of land in this county, 
on Bruin's Creek, from the Taylor heirs, and for 14 
years he extended the lease from time to time, and 
finally bought the land. By hard work, close economy 
and shrewd buying, Mr. Wright has steadily increased 
his property holdings until today he owns more than 
3,000 acres of fine land along the Medina river. 

Mr. Wright was married in Kentucky to Miss 
Marilda Speck, and they have two children living, 
John Wright of Oklahoma, and Granville Wright of 
Bandera. 

When Mr. Wright lived at Waco in the 70's he 
became acquainted with several of our great frontier 
characters, notably Capt. Sul Ross, the famous ranger 
who brought about the recapture and restoration of 
Cynthia Ann Parker after she had spent 29 years with 
the Indians. Mr. Ross afterwards became governor 
of Texas. 

(iranville Wright married Miss Dora Coffey, daugh- 
ter of Smith CoH'ey of Tarpley. They have six chil- 
dren, five l)0ys and one girl, their names being 
Johnnie, Clay, Lena, Smith, Raymond and Clyde. 
He owns a valuable ranch i)roperty on Medina Lake, 
adjoining his father's lands, and is One of the direc- 
tors of the First State Bank of Bandera, 



90 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

FURNISHED TELEGRAPH POSTS. 

In 1875 the United States Government construct- 
ed a telegraph line from San Antonio to Fort Mason 
and Fort McKavett, and on to Fort Concho. George 
Hay and Charles Schmidtke of Bandera took the 
contract to furnish posts for the line from San An- 
tonio to Fort McKavett, a distance of 175 miles. 
They received ninety-eight cents each for the posts 
delivered along the route. Schmidtke & Hay em- 
ployed crews of choppers and put them in the cedar 
brakes of Bandera, Kerr, Gillespie, Mason and Men- 
ard counties, paying these hands from twenty-five 
cents to seventy-five cents per post for cutting them. 
The firm supplied more than 12,000 posts, twenty 
feet long and better than two inches at the top. It 
required more than six months time to cut the poles 
and place them on the right-of-way, where soldiers 
with government teams erected them. Mr. Hay 
says they cleared over $3,000 on the contract, and 
were not obliged to give bond, as the government 
often required. 

Previous to getting this contract Schmidtke & 
Hay had purchased a great many cattle on credit, 
drove them up the trail to Kansas, and lost money on 
them, and the government contract for posts helped 
to put them on their feet once more. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 91 

"SECO" SMITH. 

William Densley Smith was born in Franklin 
county, Mississippi, October 24, 1836, and at this 
writing lives on a pretty farm near Medina, Bandera 
county, Texas. He is 86 years old, hale and hearty, 
and carries the burden of years with ease. It was 
away back in 1848 that his father, Robert M. Smith, 
started to Texas, the land of promise, but when the 
family reached M«nnphis, Tennessee, on their journey 
to the Lone Star State, they found the Mississippi 
river too high to cross, so they went to Tishomingo 
county and rented a small farm, where they remained 
about a year. While they were on this farm there 
came along one day some men who were members of 
the Fremont Expedition just returning home from 
California. They camped near the Smith home, and 
gave such glowing reports of the discover}^ of gold in 
California that everybody became interested. But I 
will allow "Seco" Smith, the subject of this sketch, to 
tell the story: 

"When father talked to these men and learned that 
they were on their way home to get their families and 
take them to California he made up his mind to ac- 
company them to the Golden State, and all agreed to 
meet at Council Bluff Ferry, on the Missouri river, 
the following ^larch. When the time arrived we were 
right there and joined the emmigrant train headed 
for California. We followed the old Fremont trail to 
Salt Lake City, Utah, where we took the Lower Route 
into California, arriving at the Santa Ana river about 
where San Barnardino now stands. Here we stopped 
and father established a ranch, which he sold out after 



92 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

a time and we moved to near Los Angeles. We re- 
mained in California five years, and father dec ided to 
remove to Texas, via Ft. Yuma, Arizona, and El Paso, 
To make this trip he engaged some men to accompany 
us. but they were a tough lot and plotted to get us 
out on the desert, steal our stock and leave us strand- 
ed. There was an orphan boy in our party who over- 
heard the plot and informed us of it, and of course we 
were on the alert for the first indication of crooked- 
ness. It came while we were encamped in the vicinity 
of Ft. Yuma, when the ring-leader got drunk and 
started to raise trouble. I was well armed and, though 
just a boy, I promptly covered the leader and we 
forced them to take their belongings and clear out. 
There were twelve men in the outfit that left us. 
They went on ahead some distance and were attacked 
by Indians, one men being wounded in the fight. The 
redskins got their stock and thej^ had to return to Ft. 
Yuma. We made it through to El Paso without 
mishap, and found that place to be only a small vil- 
lage with one store. Here we tarried for a few days, 
then resumed our journey and reached San Antonio 
June 26, 185G, camping at the San Pedro Springs, 
then on the outskirts of the town. Later we moved 
out to the Olmos, six miles distant, where we remain- 
ed a short time. While we were here the Indians 
stole some of our horses and mules. I joined a party 
headed by John Jo!ies, father of Andy Jones who now 
lives near Bandera, and we followed the Indians to 
near the head of the Medina river, where the trail led 
through a hirge plum thicket, and the fruit almost 
covered the ground where the ripe plums had fallen 
off. Here we completely lost the trail, which had 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 9S 

been completely obliterated by bear tracks. All the 
bears in the country must have been there eating 
those plums. We had to give up the chase and re- 
turned home. 

"Father bought a small place from A. D. Jones, 
moved to it, and remained there over 45 j^ears, or 
until his death, which occurred when he was 89 years 
old. I was married in 1857 to Miss Amanda Coker 
of San Antonio. Three children, two girls and one 
boy, were born to us. These two girls, Frances and 
Josephine married Joe and Frank Moffatt. Frances 
lives on the Frio, Josephine lives near Medina, and 
my son, William A. Smith, lives at Douglas, Arizona. 
My wife died in 1863. 

"In 1867 1 was married to Miss Julia A. Long, the 
daughter of S. A. Long, a San Jacinto veteran who 
lived on the Hondo. Of this union there were seven 
children, four boys and three girls: H. S. Smith of 
Medina, J. D. Smith of Poteet, Frank M. Smith and 
A. E. Smith of San Antonio, Mrs. Mary Mayfield of 
Aledina, Mrs. Rosa Stevens of Bandera, and Mrs. 
Laura Hand of Olustee, Okla. In 1878 my second 
wife died. 

"In 1898 I was married lo my present wife, who 
was Miss Elizabeth T. Akin, the daughter of J. T. 
Akin, an early settler of Handera county. Five chil- 
dren have been born to us, two boys and three girls: 
Mrs. Esther Skinner of Port Arthur, iNIiss Beulah 
Smith. Austin Milam Smith, Sidney Raymond Smith, 
and Miss Valentine Smith, under the parental roof. 

"I am tiie father of fifteen children, all living, and 



94- Pioneer History of Bandera County 

filling places of usefulness in this world. One of my. 
sons, Sam Smith, was sheriff of Bandera county 
several years. 

In 1860 I located on the Seco, about forty miles 
from the town of Bandera, and that is how people 
came to call me "Seco" Smith. There were three 
different Smiths in that region. W. L. Smith lived 
on the Frio; he was known as "Frio" Smith. Rube 
Smith lived on the Hondo; he was called "Hondo" 
Smith. I lived on the Seco, and ever since I went 
there people have called me "Seco" Smith. These 
are all Spanish names. In that language "frio" 
means cold, "hondo" means deep, and "seco" means 
dry. I do not know which is most distressing, to 
be cold, deep or dry. However, the nickname has 
stuck to me and I have had to carry it. 

"While I lived on the Seco my nearest neighbors 
were Ben Ragland and Squire Boone. I remember 
when the Indians killed Berry Buckelew, and many 
other tragedies that occurred in that region. In 
1862 the Indians killed old man Schreiver about 
three miles below my place. In company with Dr. 
Schoff'hausen, Schreiver was out stock hunting when 
attacked. Dr. Schoffhausen disappeared and it is 
supposed that the Indians killed him too, but his 
body was never found, although diligent search was 
made for it. The Indians also killed my wife's 
brother, Sam Long, over on the Blanco in 1862. His 
brother, Andy Long, outran the Indians and got 
away. After he was shot with several arrows, Sam 
made his way to his father's home, and died as soon 
as he got there. Julia Long, who afterwards became 
my wife, had been to the postoffice and was return- 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 95 

ing home when the Indians attacked her brothers, 
and when she saw what was taking place she started 
to run for home, but was overtaken by the Indians, 
jerked from her horse, and as she fell one of the In- 
dians grasped her by the hair and with his knife cut 
off a handfull, no doubt trying to scalp her. Evi- 
dently fearing pursuit the Indians were in a hurry to 
escape, and this fact probably saved her life. She 
made her way home, not seriously hurt, but very 
badly frightened. The same year the Indians killed 
old man Sanders of Uvalde, between the Frio and 
Leona rivers. I remember the attack that was made 
on the Kincheloe home, when Mrs. Bowiin was killed 
and Mrs. Kincheloe was fearfully wounded. 

"On another raid the Indians killed Captain 
Robertson and Henry Adams, while these two men 
were in camp, and ate their hearts. They killed Dud 
Richardson on the Frio, and scalped a little girl alive. 
This same band of Indians killed Mr. and Mrs. 
Stringfield, and carried their little boy, Tommy 
Stringfield off into captivity. Mrs. William Hatfield, 
now living at Medina, is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Stringfield, and was present when her parents were 
killed, but managed to escape. The Indians came 
on up the country and divided into two large parties. 
"Big Foot" Wallace, with a party of men, followed 
one of the bands which went out on the divide be- 
tween the Sabinal and the Medina rivers. The In- 
dians discovered their pursuers and laid an ambush 
for them. They tied a fine mare on the side of a 
mountain for a decoy and when some of the rangers, 
over the protest of Bigfoot Wallace, went to get the 
mare, the Indians fired on them and wounded Bill 



96 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

Davenport in the thigh. Wallace ordered his men 
to dismount and prepare for a fight. Some of the 
men then flanked the Indians on both sides and ran 
them out, killing some of the Indians and capturing a 
big herd of horses which had been stolen down in 
Atascosa and Medina counties. 

"The other band of Indians had gone up the 
Sabinal, and I, in company with several men, took 
their trail and followed them to the head of Devil's 
River, out near where Sonora is now located. There 
were about 100 Indians in this band, and they made 
a very plain trail. A settlement fort had been con- 
structed on the Sabinal for the protection of the few 
settlers there, and a company of rangers from Wash- 
ington county, under command of Captain Meyers, 
was encamped about a mile below this fort at this 
time. We sent a runner to the ranger camp for assis- 
tance to help in chasing these Indians and Captain 
Meyers sent 25 men to join us. In the party of 
rangers were two men from San Antonio, Sam 
Maverick and a young man named Simpson. As 
soon as the rangers joined us we pushed forward on 
the trail and followed is until sundown, then camped 
where the trail went up on the divide between the 
Sabinal and Ciuadahipe rivers. Early the next 
morning we were again in the saddle and going for- 
ward as fast as possible, but our progress was hind- 
ered by the roughness of the divide which was 
covered with honeycomb rocks, which made travel 
very slow for the horses of our friends that had 
been used to a flat, level country. These horses 
wen^ clumsy and many of them soon became lame. 
We traveled until late that ni^ht when we reached 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 97 

Paint Creek, a tributary to the South Llano river. 
Next inorniug tlie Wasliiugton county fellows were 
sick of the chase and all turned back, except two — 
Sam Maverick and Simpson. Five or six of our 
men decided to turn back also, leaving 26 of us to 
follow on after the Indians. We were determined 
to overtake those redskins if possible and try to an- 
nihilate them, and resumed our chase. But the 
next day twelve more of our party turned back, and 
that left fourteen to continue on the trail of 100 
Indians. The second night after they left us we 
camped about a mile above old Fort Territt, our 
horses were pretty well fagged out, our men all tired 
from steady riding, and were about out of grub. We 
did not know it at the moment but the night we 
camped here, the Indians were camped just about a 
mile further on. We found their camping place the 
next morning after we resumed the chase. They 
had butchered and barbecued a horse, and used the 
paunch to carry a supply of water in. We dis- 
covered from their preparations that they intended 
making a long dry run across that semi-arid region, 
but we hoped to overtake them in a few hours 
and force them to fight. Two or three of our 
horses gave out and our men took turns walking. 
We followed the trail all that day and called a 
halt and sized up the situation. We were many 
miles from water, out of grub, hungry and worn 
out; our horses were about exhausted, so we de- 
cided to turn back. While we were resting here 
John Ware went out and killed aii antelope. We 
cut it up in chunks and started back to water, 
about thirty miles, which we reached the next morh- 



08 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

ing at daylight. Here we cooked that meat and 
ate it without salt or bread. We rested here awhile, 
and then went back to Fort Territt, and camped. 
We succeeded in killing several deer and turkeys, 
roasted a great quantity of the meat, and resumed 
our homeward journey. The second day on our re- 
turn we had eaten all our meat and were again a 
hungry bunch. That night we made a dry camp, and 
one of the men killed an old turkey gobbler, and four- 
teen hungry men ate him in a very little while. When 
we got back to the settlement fort we found well load- 
ed tables waiting for us, and we consumed everything 
in sight. That Washington countj^ bunch got lost 
when they started back, and beat us in only a few hours 
with their clothes torn and their horses in bad shape. 
"I think people sometimes hav^e a premonition of 
death. I know of one case where such a thing hap- 
pened. Rube Smith was a cowman, but not a kins- 
man of mine. He lived on the Hondo. We went 
down on the San Miguel one time to get some cattle, 
and while we were there Rube received word that 
members of his family were verj^ sick. He seemed 
greatly worried about it and said if he could get one 
man to go with him he would pull out for home, 
about sixty miles. . I told him I would go with him, 
and we immediately started and traveled all night, 
reaching his home on the Hondo early the next morn- 
ing. He talked about Indians killing him all the way 
and at other times whenever he would be with me he 
expressed his dread. It seemed to prey upon his mind. 
He was a brave man. but no matter what the conver- 
sation was about, he invariably brought up the sub- 
ject of Indians killing him some day. Sure enough, 



Pioneer Msiory of Bandera County VD 

sometime afterward he was killed by Indians on the 
divide betweeli the Teliuacana and the Hondo, after 
putting up a desperate fight. 

"Big Foot Wallace was one of the best men I ever 
knew. He was modest and retiring in disposition, 
but a terror when aroused. 1 met him in San An- 
tonio in 1856. He had tanked up and started to his 
location on the Chicon, and while riding along he 
dropped his rifle and broke the stock off. He came 
back to San Antonio to get it fixed, and I met him at 
this time. Wallace told me that a belly full of booze 
and a broken gun was a poor combination to take out 
into an Indian country. How did he get his nanie.^ 
I will tell you: Colonel Duran was a member of Jack 
Hays' company of rangers, and he told me that once, 
when they were camped at San Pedro Springs, in 1845, 
Hays gave twelve or fifteen of his men permission to 
go up on the Guadalupe and hunt and scout for awhile 
as things had been quiet along the border for some 
time. These men, with Wallace in the crowd, went 
above New Braunfels, had a fine time, saw no Indian 
sign, and thinking there was no danger, they relaxed 
their vigilance one night, with the result that the In- 
dians came while they slept and drove off all their 
horses. They were forty miles from San Antonio, and 
afoot, with all of their camp equippage and saddles. 
They built a raft of logs, loaded their stnff on it, and 
started down the river. Wallace and another 
man got on the raft to steer it. while the other 
men walked along the bank of the stream and kept in 
in hailing distance. Wallace pulled off his shoes and 
placed them on top of the blankets and saddles on the 



7 00 Pioneer History of Bandera Count ij 

rafl, and whilo floaliug tliroui'h a swift, deep channel 
the raft was overturned and everything on it went to 
the bottom and was lost, except Wallace and his com- 
panion who swam out. They could not recover a 
thing for the current had washed it all down. Wallace 
joined the party on the bank and walked until his 
feet became sore and his friends had to take turns in 
carrying him. Finally they found a bunch of wild 
cattle and shot a yearling. They cooked the meat 
and used the hide to make some mocassins for Wallace 
and he was enabled to get along veiy well. When 
the party reached New Braunfels the German citizens 
curiously eyed Wallace's feet and called him "Gross 
Fos" (Big Foot), and the name was taken up by his 
companions, and ever afterward stuck to him. Big 
Foot Wallace once owned a grant of land in Bandera 
county, above Medina, and Wallace Crrek was named 
for him, as was also the town of Big Foot in Frio 
county. He died January 7, 1899, in his 83rd year, 
and his remains now rest in the State Cemetery at 
Austin. 

"I located on Wallace Creek, in Bandera county, in 
1878, and remained there about three years, then 
bought 640 acres on F^en ton's Creek from B. F. Bel- 
lows. Later 1 sold this land and moved to Medina, 
where I have a nice farm, and am spending the even- 
ing of my life in quiet retirement. Most of my old 
comrades have passed over the borderland of time. 
The days of long ago seem but yesterday when I re- 
call their faces and the happy times we had together." 



Pioneer History of Bandera Coai/ty Wl 

JUDGE HUGH C. DT^FFY. 

Far back in the pioneer days a young mail came 
to Bandera and for fifty-four long years he was iden- 
tified with the affairs of the town and count3\ That 
man was Hugh C. Duffy. Born at Castle Blayney, 
County Monaghan, Ireland, October 11, 1844, he 
came to America with his mother and sister whe:i he 
was 14 years old. For a while they lived at Fond du 
Lac, Wisconsin. Eventually the bright Irish lad 
found his ivay to Texas, locating at Boerne in 1864, 
where he taught school a number of years, and came 
to Bandera in 1866. Here he foresaw wonderful op- 
portunities for the young man of pluck anrl energy, 
and he decided to stay and take his chances with the 
other pioneers here. He studied law and was admit- 
ted to tlie bar, and for many years was the only at- 
torney in tlie county. He became known as one of 
the most prominent lawyers, which position he main- 
tained for over fifty years, C'oming here when Ban- 
dera county was enshrouded in the mist and cloud of 
frontier deprivation and isolation, an en\ironment 
that has contributed to the darkening of many a 
I, dented life through sheer denial of opportunity and 
outlet, Mr. DuU'y began an earl.w manly Hghl 
against the environing shadows, spreading a light 
about himself in which he worked straight upward to 
a high and responsible place in the county's affairs, 
and his career of usefulness ended only when death 
called him November 13, 1920. 

He was married February 15, 1870, to Miss Jose- 
pliine Lytle of Castroville, who for over thirty years 
was his faithful companion and helpmate. Mrs. 



10!2 Pioneer Hifitory of Bavrlern Connfy 

Duffy died August 13, 1900. To them were born six 
cliildren, two of whom died when quite small. The 
surviving children are C. H. Duffy of San Antonio, 
George L. Duffy of Uvalde, Mrs. A. P. Kehoe of San 
Antonio, and Miss Laura Duffy of Bandera. 

A short time after Mr. Duffy arrived in Bandera 
he engaged in the mercantile business, and later pur- 
chased the building now known as the Riverside Inn 
and opened a hotel. This hotel is now managed by 
his daughter. Miss Laura Duffy. He had a wide ac- 
quaintance throughout this section, and was held in 
highest esteem as a citizen and lawyer by all who 
knew him. He held no ill will or malice toward any- 
one and if he ever had an enemy it was never known. 
His kind, amiable disposition and courteous manner 
toward everyone at all times marked him as a gentle- 
man of the noblest type. He always looked on the 
bright side of everj^thing and his cheering words and 
cheerful manner were always encouraging and helpful 
to those with whom ne came in contact. 



DANIEL RUGH. 

One of Bandera's early citizens was Daniel Rugh, 
whose memory is still fondly cherished by many of 
our people. Mr. Rugh was born near Pittsburg, Pa., 
in 1812. In 1849 he started to California but when 
he reached Rock Island, Illinois, he was stricken with 
granulated sore eyes and had to abandon the trip. 
He remained in Rock Island and Selina until 185.9, 
when he emigrated to San Antonio, Texas. With his 
wife and four daughters he came to Bandera February 



Pioneer History of Band era Couvtij 10- > 

14, 1860. The two youngest daughters died during 
an epidemic of diptheria in 1862. The eldest daugh- 
ter. Miss Tvy Rugh, taught school in Bandera for a 
number of j^ears until her marriage in 1870 to R. M. 
Taylor. Another daughter married Jack Miller and 
lives near Utopia. Three daughters and one son, 
Charles Reed Rugh, were born in Bandera. 

In 1872 Mr. Rugh moved to the ranch now owned 
by J. A. Miller. In 1873 he sold his cattle for $22.50 
a round and his sheep for $4.00 per head and moved 
to Bandera town where he built the present City 
Hotel, which is still occupied by his son, Chas. R. 
Rugh. Daniel Rugh and his wife were among the 
first members of the Methodist church in Bandera 
and were consistent workers therein until 1899, when 
both passed to their reward, their deaths occurring 
four months apart. Mrs. Rugh was born in Ireland 
and came across the ocean when she was 17 years old, 
landing at Quebec. Her father died on board ship 
and was buried at sea. 

During the war between the states Daniel Rugh 
served as sheriff of Bandera county, at a time when 
courage and integrity were necessary to maintain law 
and order. He reached the age of 87 years, nearly 
forty years of which were spent in Bandera county. 

Charles R. Rugh married Miss Mila Huffmeyer. 
They have seven children: Emil Rugh of Moorings- 
port, La., Misses Helen and Mary Rugh. Daniel, 
Ashley, Charlie and Duane Rugh of Bandera. 



104 Pioneer History of Bandera Count] f 

THE MANSFIELD FAMILY. 

Andrew Mansfield was born in Washington county, 
Pennsylvania, July 9, 1827, and grew to mannood 
there. When he was 21 years old he went to Missouri 
and lived there eight years, then returned to Pennsyl- 
vania where he spent four years. He came to Ban- 
dera in February, 1860, with the first Merino sheep 
ever brought here, and located them at the place then 
known as the James ranch, where Rev. H. L. Atkins 
now lives. These sheep were brought by boat down 
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and across the Gulf of 
Mexico to Galveston where they were unloaded and 
driven to Karnes City, where a part of the flock was 
left for Colin Campbell and the balance brought right 
through San Antonio and on to the James ranch for 
Samuel Christian and John H. James. Mr. Mansfield 
worked for John James from the time of his arrival 
until the fall of 1870, when he bought 184 acres of 
land where the old Mansfield homestead is now, and 
started into the sheep business for himself, in which 
he was quite successful. In 1880, in company with 
Judge J. B. Davenport and James McElroy, he went 
to Pennsylvania and brought back two carloads of 
registered sheep and six head of the first registered 
Durham cattle that came to Bandera. 

Mr. Mansfield was married to Miss Laura Thal- 
mann October 25, 1868. Six children were born to 
them: Andrew, Herman, Edward, Walter, John and 
Cora. Before his death, which occurred February 22, 
1897, Mr. Mansfield acquired considerable property 
in Bandera county. The only public office he ever 
held, was a road overKseer's commission, he being the 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 105 

first overseer on the Bandera and San Antonio road, 
covering the distance from Bandera to Zepada's, 
twenty-four miles this side of San Antonio. 

He was conscripted with John Adamietz and An- 
drew Knapic in 1862 and served under General Ireland 
along the Texas seacoast until the war between the 
states was over, when he returned home and for many 
years devoted his time to his growing stock interests, 
and working for the upbuilding of the county. Mrs. 
Mansfield survived him twenty years, and died May 
12, 1917. 

A. L. (Andy) Mansfield married Miss Matilda 
Dorow January 21. 1895, and they have nine children, 
Lee, Fred, Roy, Earl, Harold, Clara, Emma, Evelyn 
and Selma. Lee Mansfield married Miss Clara Leah 
Hicks, and Fred Mansfield married Miss Lena Wright. 
All live at Bandera. 

C. H. (Herman) Mansfield married Miss Minnie 
Thomas. To them were born three sons, Rhea, Robert 
and Coy. Herman Mansfield died in January, 1919. 

W. E. (Ed) Mansfield married Miss Cora Buck. 
They have nine children, Mrs. Laura Autrey, Homer, 
Frank, Hayden, Bruce, Minnie ^lae. William, Louella 
and Joyce. 

W. O. (Patty) Mansfield married Miss Annie 
Graves. Has one child. Miss Anna Mae Mansfield. 
J. M. (John) Mansfield married Miss Mabel Miller. 
Miss Ella Mansfield married John H. Bruce. They 
have three children, Minnie, Hubert and Alleen. 



lOG Fioneer History of Bandera County 

THE MAASS FAMILY. 

William Maass, Sr., was a native of Germany. He 
came to Texas in the early days and located at San 
Antonio, where he married Mrs. Charlotte Kissling, 
nee Oelze. In 1874 he moved his familj^ to Bandera, 
and located on Middle Verde Creek, on the place now 
occupied by W. W. Whitley. In the family were Mr. 
and Mrs. Maass, two of Mrs. Maass' children, Mary 
and Adolph Kissling, and five children of their union. 
Will J., Albert, Lena, Tina and Reinhardt Maass. 
Albert Maass died in 1918; Tina Maass Straus died 
in San Antonio in 1919. Mrs. Louisa Evans and 
Will J. Maass are the only members of the family 
now living in Bandera county. 

Willi-am Maass, Sr., died in the late 90's, aged 78 
years. His wife died in 1902. 

W'ill J. Maass married Miss Elizabeth Lewis in 
1885, and settled at the head of Julian Creek, where 
he has lived ever since. To this union eight children 
were born, seven of them still living. Thej'^ are Mrs. 
Louisa Anderwald, Mrs. Irene Anderwald, George and 
Lindsey Maass of Bandera; Mrs. Delia Toudouze of 
San Antonio, Mrs. Edith Hermes of Tarpley: William 
Fred Maass, now cit}^ marshal of Randlett, Okla. 
Miss Emma Maass who married Rudolph Kokes, died 
in San Antonio in 1918. The wife and mother, Mrs. 
Elizabeth Maass, also died in 1918. Later Mr. Maass 
married Miss Etta Butcher of Clarksburg, W. Va. 

Will J. Maass was eleven years old when his father 
moved to Bandera county, and he distinctly remem- 
bers manj^ of the early day events here. He became 
an expert fiddler and played for the dances and so cial 



I 



Pionepv History of Bandera Coiiniy 107 

functions of thirty-five years ago, and says people 
came from many miles around to attend those gather- 
ings, and the dancing went on from sun-down until 
sun-up. Good fellowship, neighborly feeling and a 
generous hospitality alwaj^s marked those occasions. 
His father's neighbors on the Middle Verde w^ere Or- 
lando Thallman, Capt. McGill, Ernest Oelze, a Mexi- 
can named Jesus, J. B. Davenport, Joe Holt, Mrs. B. 
C. Buckelew and children. All of these neighbors are 
gone except Mr. Thallman, who still lives on his old 
home place. Some have moved to distant parts, some 
still reside in the county, and some have died. 

When the family settled on Middle Verde the 
country was ail open, for it was before wire fences 
had been introduced. TJie range was free, and was 
covered by high grass. Mr. Maass says he thinks 
August anh Fritz Rothe were the first to build a wire 
fence in the section where lie lived . They fenced a 
large body of pasture land over on the Hondo. 

Morgan Moncur, one of the very earliest settlers 
in Bandera county and well known to all the old 
timers, was an uncle to Mr. Maass, and Henry Frick. 
who served as sherifi' of Bandera count}^ a number of 
terms, was a brother-in-law, having married Mr. 
Maass half-sister, Mary Kissling. 

P'orty-eight years have passed since Will J, Maass 
came to Bandera county. He grew to manhood, 
married and raised his family of sons and daughters 
to be useful and respected citizens of this section, 
and has thus been a factor in the develpment and up- 
building of the county, and he expects to spend the 
balanre of his days here among the friends that have 
always proved true. 



10^ Pioneer History of Bandera County 

SIXTY-FIVE YEARS IN BAXDERA. 

Joseph W. Holt was born in the town of Bandera 
December 18, 1857, grew to manhood in this countjs 
and has Hved here ever since. His father, Mose Holt, 
came to this section from Grayson county in 1856 and 
died in Bandera just a few months after the subject 
of this sketch was born. His widowed mother married 
John Cosgrove who lived on the Seco. 

On March 20, 1878, Mr. Holt was married in Ban- 
dera to Miss Elizabeth Buckelew, Judge J. B. Daven- 
port performing the ceremony. To this union were 
born ten children, seven of whom are living. They 
are Eben Holt of Tarpley, Jim Holt of Bandera, Mrs. 
Almeda Chipman of Bandera, Mrs. Bessie Johnson of 
Los Angeles, Calif.; Miss Tiny Holt of San Antonio, , 
Emmet Holt of Welder, Kansas, and Joe Holt, Jr., of 
Bandera. Mr. Holt now lives on Indian Creek, west 
of Bandera, and is engaged in stock-farming. He re- 
members many incidents of frontier days, and recalls 
several occasions when Indians stole horses from his 
step-father, Mr. Cosgrove. On one of their raids the 
savages killed his wife's father, Berry Buckelew, an 
account of which is given elsewhere in this book. He 
also remembers killing of Assessor McMurray between 
the Seco and Hondo. McMurray stayed all night 
with the Cosgroves the night before he was killed. 

Hezekiah Griffin lived on East Verde Creek, south- 
east of Bandera, where he had pre-empted 160 acres, 
of land. His father and family lived with him. Among 
the Grifhns was a young man named Josiah Griffin. 
One day when Josiah went out to look for some horses, 
he was attacked by two Indians and came near losing 



Pioneer ttisfory of Bandera County 100 

his life. He was unarmed, but fought the redskins off 
with rocks and kept them (hedging until his sister, at 
the house, discovered his peril and ran to his aitl with 
a shotgun. As soon as the brothers and father learn- 
ed of the attack they hastily mounted their horses 
and gave chase, but the Indians got away. Griffin 
was pretty badly wounded with arrows, one penetrat- 
ing his arm, another his thigh and a third struck him 
in the small of the back. The spike that penetrated 
his thigh embedded itself in the bone, and was re- 
moved three j^ears later by Dr. Herff of San Antonio, 
He finally recovered and afterwards married Mr. 
Holt's sister. 

Mr. Holt says he worked on Judge Davenport's 
ranch, now owned by Dr. J. O. Butler, for six years. 

While living on East A^erde Creek, Mr. Holt was 
often employed bj' Parson Dial, a Cumberland Pres- 
byterian minister, who was also a surveyor, to carry 
the chain while making surveys and was paid $1.50 
per day for his work. One morning very early he 
went out to help Parson Dial and neglected to tell 
his mother where he was going. As the day lengthen- 
ed and he did not appear Mrs. Cosgrove became very 
uneasy about him. When night came and her boy 
was still absent she became almost frantic, feariiiii' 
that he had been killed by the Indians, so taking two 
of her children on a saddle pony, and accompanied by 
Sam Davenport, she started over to the Ross place on 
the Julian to learn if they had seen the missing boy. 
Young Holt, having finished his day's work and un- 
aware of the uneasiness of his parent, leisurely started 
home and when near the Quihi Pass he discovered a 
strange procession approaching, which he took to be 



110 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

Indians. Hastily concealing himself near the road- 
side he nnlimbered a big pistol he had with him, and 
when the party came within just a few steps of his 
position he made ready to fire upon them, but think- 
ing he had better be sure he called out "Who goes 
there." They evidently did not hear him call, for no 
answer was made, and he was on the point of pulling 
the trigger when he decided to challenge again, and 
it is well that he did so, for the strange party was his 
mother and brother and sister. Mr. Holt says he 
has been scared pretty badly at different times, but 
this was the worst scare he ever had, when he discov- 
ered how near he had come to killing some of his own 
people. 



ATTACKED BY A PANTHER. 

In 1876 a negro named Henry Ramsey lived near 
Indian Creek, several miles from Bandera, and one 
night he heard a disturbance out in his front yard. 
When he opened the door to investigate the trouble a 
large panther sprang into the room and attacked him. 
The only weapon the negro could secure quickly was 
a large butcher knife and with this he killed tlie pan- 
ther, but not before the ferocious beast bad bitten 
and lacerated his arms and body and torn his clothes 
into shreds. Old Doctor Peacock attended the wound- 
ed man but in a few days symptoms of hydrophobia 
appeared and the negro died in horrible agony. 

In those days panthers were numerous throughout 
this region, as were bears, Mexican lions and other 
wild animals. 



Pioneer History of Banclercv County 111 

JUDGE GEORGE HAY. 

George Haj" was born at Erskine, Renfrewshire, 
Scotland, March 17, 1836. With his parents he sailed 

for America from Liver- 
pool, England, Sept. 10, 
1841. They came across 
in a sailing vessel, the 
Tierien, add landed at 
New Orleans October 19, 
1841, from whence they 
went np the Mississippi 
to St. Louis, where \\\ey 
tarried but a short time, 
then proceeded to Nau- 
voo. the Mormon city in 
Illinois. They remained 
at Nauvoo until 1845, 
when the family went 
back to St. Louis, where 
the elder Hay died, and 
in the fall following the 
to Keokuk, Iowa, 
later moving to Clark county in that state. In Sep- 
tember, 1848, hearing of the wonderful opportunities 
in Texas, and seeking a land free from the antagonism 
at that time directed against the Mormons, the family 
with others sta^'ted to Texas in wagons drawn by mules. 
A long trip was ahead of them and the way was beset 
with all sorts of dangers and perils, but fearlessly the 
little band took up the journey. George Hay was 
then a small bo3% 12 years of age. . AVhen the party 
reached Kansas City, then a very small town, they 




Jiul<,'-e Geor^^e Hay 

widow with her children moved 



11$ Pioneer History of Bandera County 

were joined by a family named Johnson and a man 
named Spencer Smith of ('ouncil Bluffs, Iowa. Their 
destination was Zodiac, a Mormon settlement on the 
Perdenales river, three miles below Fredericksburg, 
which they reached safely after nearly three months 
on the road. Here the Hay family remained until 
1850. A Mormon settlement had been made near 
Fort Grog^an in Burnet county, where a mill was 
erected, and the place was afterwards called Mormon 
Mills. Mrs. Haj^ and her children moved there, 
where they tarried until the spring of 1853, when they 
moved over to the Packsaddle Mountain vicinity to 
graze their cattle. In company with a large party of 
Mormons headed by Elder Lyman Wight they decided 
to transfer their location to Bandera county, reaching 
here March 1, 1854. Elder Wjght's company ^num- 
bered about 250 souls and wjie|ijthey arrived in Ban- 
dera countj^ they found onh^ a very few people here, 
the Hadrians, Milsteads, T. L. Odem, P. D. j Saner, 
Mrs. Rees and sons, Charles de Montel, and ,others. 
In speaking of his arrival in Bandera, and subsequent 
events. Judge Hay said: 

"This was a beautiful country then, a wilderness 
it is true, bui inviting and offering our people won- 
derful possibilities. Charles do Montel had a horse- 
power saw mill with a circular saw, and the men of 
the community were nearly all employed in getting 
out cypress timber and working at the mill. August 
Pingenot supplied the camp, for Bandera was but a 
camp then, with game. Here I met Amasa Clark, 
who was in the employ of Milstead. This was in 
1854, and the friendship that was formed then has 
endured to this good day, and grows with the passing 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 713 

years. Here I also met DeWitt Biirney, an uncle to 
our })resent district judge. August Klappeuhach 
kept llic commissary for Mr. iVIontel. Klappenljacli 
afterwards built the first house in Bandera where he 
kept a store and postoffice. This house is still stand- 
ing and forms one end of my residence. It was huilL 
in 1855, and was constructed of cypress lumber sawed 
at the mill here, the carpenter work being done by 
John Dugos, the father of Kasper and Christian Dugos, 
worthy citizens of our town. The elder Dugos had 
just arrived from Poland with the Polish colonists, 
and could not speak English, and had to receive his 
instructions as to dimensions and plan of the building 
in the sign language. Tf I remember rightly the 
Polish colonists arrived here February 3, 1855, and as 
they were destitute, they had a hard struggle for a 
number of years, but perseverance and the realization 
that they were living in free America helped to get 
them on a footing which they have since maintained. 
"After remaining here until the fall of 1854, 
Elder Wight and his company moved down the river 
about twelve miles where they established a settle- 
ment, known for many years as the Mormon Camp, 
where they remained until 1858. Elder lAnum 
Wight died and was buried there. The site of this 
camp is now covered by the waters of Medina Lake. 
With their leader dead, the Mormons then scattered, 
some going to the Indian Territor}^ and several fam- 
ilies remained here; among those who chose to remain 
in this section were Andrew Ilutt'man, Mrs. Janet 
Ballentyne, i.\bram Moncur, Joseph Goodale.Meachem 
Curtis, and others whose names I can't recall just 



114 Pioneer Historjj of Bandera County 

now. Today about all of them are gone except my- 
self and my wife. 

Bandera county was organized in 1856. O. B. 
Miles was first chief justice, William Curtis was 
sheriff, James P. P. Poole was the first county clerk. 
The first term of court was held in a building in the 
western part of town which was used as a school 
house. I was deputy clerk under Poole, but did not 
have very much to do. Afterwards I was elected 
county clerk and served for several terms. Finally 
I decided that I did not want the office and hustled 
like everything to elect my successor, I*. D. vSaner. 
I also served several terms as assessor and collectoi-, 
and am now serving as justice of tlie peace of Bandera 
precinct. 

"In the fall of 1869 I became associated with James 
Booker Davenport in the mercantile business in the 
house now occupied as a dwelling by Sheriff Henry 
Stevens. Later Mr. Charles Schmidtke came into the 
firm and it became known as Davenport, Schmidtke 
& Hay, dealers in general merchandise. Our busi- 
ness thrived, but later Mr. Davenport retired and 
Schmidtke & Hay conducted the business until 1874, 
when H. H. Carmichael bought an interest in the 
firm and we erected the stone building now used as a 
warehouse by the Bandera County Ranchmen & 
Farmers Association. Mr. Schmidtke retired from 
the firm and Carmichael & Hay continued until 1903, 
when we met with reverses, and almost in a twinkling 
the crash came and we were swept off our feet. Mr. 
Carmichael died here in 1913. Later I moved to 
Hondo, where I lived for ten years and engaged in 
the confectionery business there. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 115 

"In 1861, when the Civil War came on, ahnosl 
every man between the ages of 18 and 45 were enroll- 
ed in the Frontier Battalion for frontier protection. 
I was commissioned a lieutenant, but being an officer 
made no difference to me. I went into the ranks, 
stood guard and performed all the duties of a private. 
I have never received a cent for mv services and none 
of my comrades ever received a cent of pay. We had 
to furnish ourselves too. Some ammunition was sup- 
plied, but it was of such poor quality as to be almost 
worthless. The Indians often made raids down into 
this settlement and below here, and we would take 
I heir trail, sometiuics inflictiui;' severe pimislunenl ou 
I he red rascals. There are many thrilling incidents 
connected with the history of this county. Many 
tragedies have taken place, many hardships were 
endured by the first settlers, many of the old timers 
have passed over the great divide to return no more^ 
many of our sons,have gone out and won high places 
in the world, many of our daughters have married 
and raised manly sons and lovelj^ daughters who are 
toda}' filling places of usefulness in different parts of 
the country. I am proud that I can look back upon 
the sixty-seven years that I have spent here and 
realize the wonderful changes that have taken place, 
;ill for the belterment of mankind and the glory of 
American manhood and womanhood that brought 
these things to pass." 

Judge Hay is now 86 years old. He is quite ac- 
tive and discharges the duties of justice of the peace 
in an acceptable manner. His mind is very clear, 
and he recalls dates and events with the precision of 
a much younger man. He has ten children living, 



il6 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

41 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren. His 
living children are Mrs. Amanda Elam, George A. 
Hay, Mrs. Georgiana Risinger, Frank T. Haj', Mrs 
Mary Langford, of Bandera, Charles William Hay of 
Colingua, Calif., Joe M. Hay of Hondo, Mrs. Ola 
Croisdale of Austin, John Hay of San Antonio, Mrs. 
Janet Currie of Los Angeles, Calif. Another daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Ora Smith, died in California during the 
influenza epidemic and was brought home for burial. 

Judge Hay is spending his declining years at the 
old family homestead in this city, where for many 
years he and his good wife kept open house to the 
traveling public, and entertained many distinguished 
visitors under their hospitable roof. 

Mrs. Hay, before her marriage, was Miss Virginia 
Minear. She is a native Texan, having been born in 
Fannin countj^ near Bonliam, March 25th, 1844. 
She came to Bandera county when about eight years 
old with her widowed mother. Hertfather was mur- 
dered in Coryell county, where he had taken up a 
homestead. The burden of years rest liglitl^^ upon 
this good old mother and she gets about as lively as a 
middle-aged woman. She attends to all of her house- 
hold duties, and has a pleasant, cheerful greeting for 
all visitors. 

EMIL HUFFMEYER. 

Emil Huffmeyer was born in San Antonio in 1845, 
and came to Bandera in 1873 He first owned a store 
where the Montague residence now stands, afterwards 
putting up a log building where he eventually erected 
the stone building now occupied by W. J. Davenport 



Pioneer Hifttoni of Bandera Coaniy 117 

Ik Co. He also built the dwelling where L. H. Hayes 
now jives. In 1878 his brother, Adolphe Huftineyer, 
bought an interest in the business and they continued 
the partnership through many years. When the court 
house was built in Bandera, the Hutt'meyer brothers 
were on the contractor's bond and were compelled to 
complete the contract, thereby losing several thousand 
dollars. Tn 1893 Emil Iluffmeyer sold his interest in 
the business here to his brother, and moved to San 
Marcos where he again engaged in mercantile pursuits, 
with considerable success. All through life he made 
many friends and had but few enemies. He died at 
San Marcos April 14, 1919. His wife still lives in 
tnat city. 

Adolphe Huffmeyer, who was associated with him 
and afterwards succeeded him in the mercantile busi- 
ness in Bandera, was married to Miss Mat tie Hugh 
in 1880. Thc}^ built the stone cottage on Water 
Street, where their five children were born. They 
now live in San Antonio. 



H. H. CARMICHAEL. 

n. 11. Carmichael came to Texas from Missouri 
when he was 14 j^ears old. It was during the Civil 
War, and he was accompanied by his mother, sister, 
and others. They came through in an ox-wagon, 
their destination being Georgetown and Helena, where 
they had relatives. After the close of the war they 
returned to ^Missouri, where Mr. Carmichael finished 
his education in the Columbia University. When he 
was 20 vears old he came back to Texas, and at 



]1S Pionrrr Hiftfnrii nf Jlrnidrra Coinify 

Helena bought his first herd of cattle to take "up the 
trail." In 1873 he came to Bandera to buy cattle, and 
received at the Jones ranch. 

Mr. Carmichael was married October 22, 1876, to 
Miss Mary E. Risinger of Helena, coming directlj^ to 
Bandera. They lived for several months with Grand- 
ma Hay. mother of George Hay, while waiting for 
their home to be built, the first home being started 
where the J. E. Browning home at Medina now stands. 
The land on which Medina City is now located was 
the pasture of Mr. Carmichael at that time. When 
the new home was almost finished the Indians made 
a raid between Medina and Bandera, and killed a Mr. 
Phillips, a brother to Mrs. Buck Hamilton. As there 
were no near neighbors, he felt it would be unsafe to 
establish a home there, so the almost finished dwelling 
was torn down and moved to Bandera, rebuilding it 
where the home of Lee Risinger now stands. Mr. 
Carmichael engaged in the mercantile business with 
George Hay, and acquired an interest in the mill and 
gin here. The first mill and gin was washed aw^ay in 
1900. It was then established on the hill and is now 
the ice plant. He continued in business in Bandera, 
and was also interested in the firm's branch houses at 
Ozona and Sanderson, until the break came. 

The present Carmichael home was built for his 
sister and was used as a boarding house. After her 
second marriage he obtained the property and moved 
there. It is still the Carmichael home, a grand old 
colonial mansion, with spacious grounds and stately 
trees surrounding. Eight children were born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Carmichael, two dying in infancy. Lawson 
the eldest son, died six years ago. Those now living 



Pioneer Hififory of BdiifJera County 110 

are Ihil Carmichael of Sabinal, Jolin Carmichael of 
Tiiscon, Arizona: Mrs. Stanley Lewis of Sabinal, Mrs. 
M. M. Peters of Many, La.; Gervys Carmichael of 
Houston. 

For severl years after he returned to Texas Mr. 
Carmichael bought and drove cattle to Kansas mar- 
kets. It was a remarkable fact that on these drives 
he was younger than most of the men who were work- 
ing for him. His death occurred nine years ago. Mrs. 
(^armichael survives him and makes her home with 
her children. 



JUDGE EDWARD M. ROSS. 

Judge Edward M. Ross was a native of New York. 
He was a veteran of the Mexican War, and after his 
discharge from the armj^ he later re-enlisted and for a 
long time was stationed at Camp Verde. While at 
this post he gained the idea that he had found a good 
couiitr}' with a great future, and he located right here, 
established a ranch, and engaged in raising sheep, 
cattle and horses. He was one of the pioneer school 
teachers of San Antonio, living there in the early 50's. 
He served as county judge of Bandera county several 
terms. 

Judge Ross died at the home of his son-in-law, Eb 
Buck, near Bandera in 1909, at the advanced age of 
90 years. His wife died in 1899 Of the seven cliil- 
dren born to Judge and Mrs. Ross five are yet living. 
They are John Ross of Bandera, Mrs. Mary Perner of 
Ozona, Mrs. Kate Buck of Bandera, Ed Ross and 
Jim Ross. 



120 Floiippv History of Band ova County 

FABIAN L. HICKS. 

One of the prominent men of Bandera county in 
the early days was Fabian L. Hicks, who came to 
Texas in 1855 from North Carolina. He was born at 
Forrestville, in that state, April 16, 1828. Shortly 
after arriving in Texas he joined an expedition under 
Capt. James H. Callahan to cross the river into Mex- 
ico to chastise a tribe of Indians that had been depre- 
dating on the frontier of Texas and escaping into the 
sister republic. After returning from this expedition 
Mr. Hicks came to Bandera county and went into the 
stock business. Here he was happily married to Miss 
Hedwig Anderwald, and raised a large family, Ten 
children were born to this couple, six of wdiom are 
now living: Fabian A. Hicks of Utopia, Gleamer Hicks 
of Tarpley, Mrs. Animate Garison of Medina, Lucius 
Hicks of Tarpley, Elvius Hicks of Bandera, and Mrs. 
Hercelia Meadows of Medina. The child i en that have 
died were Cleophas Hicks, Albina Hicks. Mary Hicks 
and Mrs. Eratha Fee, who was the wife of (ieorge 
Fee, a Bandera newspaper man. 

Mr. Hicks went on many scouts after Indians, 
and was always ready to fearlessly take the trail and 
follow the red devils as long as there was any chance 
to overtake them, In A. J. Sowell's "Texas Indian 
Fighters" is given the following account of a chase in 
which Mr. Hicks was engaged: 

"On one occasion Mr. Hicks and a number of 
others pursued a band of Indians to the head of the 
Medina river and came so close upon them, the trail 
being very fresh, Mr. Hicks proposed a halt while he 
reconnoitered. Going down into the bed of a creek 



i 



Pioneer Hisforji of Bandera Coitnty 1(^1 

where there was some water, the Indian sign was so 
fresh that he knew they must be in the immediate 
vicinity. Thej^ had watered their horses there and 
the water was still muddy; in fact it seemed that they 
had run away from the water as if they had detected 
the presence of the white men. Mr. Hicks went down 
the creek a little furtner and then turned back, as the 
Indian trail had left the creek and went among the 
rocks wliere he could not see it. After getting nearly 
back to where the Indians had watered their horses 
he discovered an Indian sitting on his horse on a bluff 
not more than thirty j^ards away, looking and listen- 
ing. Hicks took a quick but steady aim at his side 
and fired. At the crack of the rifle the Indian uttered 
a loud squall and went tearing down into a ravine on 
his horse, and Mr. Hicks could hear him making a 
noise down there like a buzzard or something of that 
sort, as you might say, a squawking noise. Hicks 
quickly reloaded his gun and went back to where he 
left his horse and the other men. They now went to 
look for the wounded Indian and the others, but noth- 
ing could be seen of them. Blood was found on the 
trail wliere the Indian ran his horse after Hicks shot 
him. but down in the ravine he got with his compan- 
ions and the}^ carried him away, the trail continuing 
towards the divide in a very rough country. Mr. 
Hicks wanted to follow, but the other men refused to 
go, saying the Indians knew of their presence and 
would be certain to ambush them somewhere. One 
of the men in this party had l)een shot by an Indian 
with an arrow only a short time before, right in the 
town ci' Bandera, just after dark one night. On the 
way back they met a squad of soldiers from Camp 



122 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

Verde on trail of the Indians. They went on and 
found the Indian dead on the trail after \hey passed 
the place where he was shot by Hicks." 

Mr. Hicks rendered great assistance in law en- 
forcement and often aided the officers of Bandera in 
ridding the country of lawless characters, horse-thieves 
and robbers. He was a raeniber of the Baptist church 
and aided and encouraged every religious effort that 
was put forth in those early days. It is said that 
when a camp meeting would be held in the vicin- 
ity of his ranch Mr. Hicks would deliver a wagon load 
of corn at the meeting grounds every day and give it 
to all who had teams to feed. He secured a large 
body of land in Medina and Tarpley region, which 
was divided among his children. His death occurred 
January 2, 1899. His widow still lives at the old 
home ranch on Hicks' Creek, and is now in her 80th 
year. 



DROWNING OF RIGGS. 

Many of the early settlers of Bandera county re- 
member the drowning of Thomas Riggs in the Medina 
river below Bruin Creek some time in 1861. The 
river was on a big rise and it seems that Riggs, who 
was an expert swimmer, attempted to go across to 
look after some stock on the other side. He may have 
been taken with cramps, for he was seen to go under 
and failed to come up. Searchers found his body the 
next day lodged in a drift. George Hay, O. B. Miles, 
Thad Ryan and others went from Bandera to assist 
in the burial. 



Pioneer HiMory of Bandera County 123 

LOST A WAGONLOAD OF IRON. 

When old Fort Territt, at the head of the North 
Llano river, was being built in 1858, supplies were 
hauled there from San Antonio, the main route pass- 
ing through Bandera Pass. 

Jack Farrell was a government teamster and had 
charge of a wagon train hauling these supplies to Ft. 
Territt, and on one occasion while making the trip 
over this route the roads were very heavy from re- 
cent rains, and when he reached Bandera Pass the 
road was so l)oggy he had to unload a cargo of bar 
iron that was being taken to the frontier post to be 
used in making horseshoes and for other blacksmith 
work. The iron was dumped off somewhere near the 
Pass, the teamsters intending to get in on their next 
trip a few weeks later. Jack P^arrell afterwards told 
O. B. Miles that when they returned for the iron it 
could not be located. Searchers in later years en- 
deavored to find the load but without success, and 
it no doubt is right there today covered by dirt and 
silt that has accumulated for the past sixtj^-five 
years. 

OLD TIME CHARIVARIS. 

Forty years ago the old time charivari was verj^ 
much in vogue in Bandera county. When a couple 
got married they were given a "serenade" by tneir 
friends. Cow bells, tin pans, cow horns, plow points, 
boss fiddles, and anything that would make a racket, 
were bi-^ught into play and the din that was produced 
generally brought the treats to^the crowd, 



1U 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 
THE MONTAGUE FAMILY. 




Chas. Montague, Jr., came to Bandera with his 
father in 1859, being at that time only a lad about 14 
years old. In 1861 he enlisted 
in the Confederate Army and 
served th'-ough the Civil War, 
after which he went to New 
York and engaged in business, 
but his health failing there he 
returned to Bandera and lived 
'here until his death, which oc- 
curred April 25, 1916. During 
the many years that he lived 
here he was one of the most 
useful and honored citizens of 
this count}^. In 1872 he was 
elected district and county 
clerk, and office which he filled 
acceptably for fourteen consecutive terms. He was 
admitted to the bar and for years was regarded as the 
most able attorney in this entire section of the state. 
As a factor in the business and commercial life of this 
community Judge Montague stood supreme. His 
word was his bond and his integrity was unimpeach- 
able. He was a promoter and an ardent advocate of 
all things which spelled progress for the county he 
loved so well. 

Judge Montague was married at Castroville, Texas, 
September 25, 1871, to Miss Laura Lytic, a sister to 
Capt. John T. Lytle, the well known stockman and 
trail driver. Tliis happy union was blessed with 
twelve children, ten of whom are still living, and arc 



Judire Chas. Montatrue 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 12o 

useful and higlilj^ respected citizens: They are Mrs. 
Rose Gardner, Miss Margaret Montague, Joe G. 
Montague, Frank M. Montague, of Bandera; John 
Montague of Waterbury, Conn.; Charles Montague 
of Cananea, Mexico; Miss Victoria Montague of San 
Antonio; Eugene Montague of Lordsburg, N. M.; 
Brian Montague of Alpine, Texas; Dr. Laurence 
Montague of Tampico, Mexico. Two of the sons, 
Brian and Joe, entered the legal profession. They 
are graduates of the Texas State Universitj', as is 
also Dr. Laurence Montague who is now practicing 
medicine in Tampico, Mexico. Another son, Frank 
A[. Montague, is a prominent stockman of Bandera 
countv, and lives on the ranch established bv his 
grandfather, Charles Montague, Sr., more than sixty 
years ago. 

When the World War came on six of the Mon- 
taji'ue boys went into the service, four of them went 
overseas, and all returned safely. Three of them be- 
came commissioned officers in the army, and received 
citations for bravery in action. 

The family has occupied the present homestead 
in Bandera since 1880. There Mrs. Alontague, the 
mother of these manly sons and queenly daugh- 
ters, presides with charming grace and dignity. She 
was born in Pennsylvania, but came to Texas when 
she was five years old. Her father, Francis Lytic, 
was one of the pioneer school teachers of this section. 
At three different times, while he was teaching on the 
Hondo, the Indians broke up his school. When she 
came here in 1871 Bandera was but a small village 
boasting of three stores, a blacksmith shop and two 
saloons. 



1^6 Pioneer HisfoTy of Bandera County 

JAMES FRANKLIN HODGES. 

In contributing data for this book, James Franklin 
Hodges, a worthy citizen of Pipe Creek, Bandera 
county, sends in the following: 

What little I have to say in this sketch will apply 
to Pipe Creek and her people. I am not the oldest 
settler in the community, but I am an old settler. A 
few preceeded me here, but most of the older ones 
have passed to the other side and only a few re- 
maineth. W. H. White, J. H. Newcomer and C. An- 
derson are still among the living. When I came to 
this section in 1875 it looked pretty rough, but there 
was something about it that appealed to me, so I 
planted my stake right here. There were many hard- 
ships to undergo, many obstacles to overcome. The 
country being new and very thinly settled, with no 
work to be had, our pathway was somewhat thorny. 
However, we managed to struggle through and have 
seen this section develop into one of the very best 
farming communities. Back in the seventies picket 
houses, thatched roofs and dirt floors were very com- 
mon. Onl}' one house was on the road between Ban- 
dera and Pipe Creek and that is the house where H. 
L. Atkins now lives, known at that time as the James 
ranch. Most all of this section was public range then, 
but now the country is all fenced, and the little com- 
munity of Pipe Creek has since that time grown from 
a mere handful of people to a large, thrifty and pros- 
perous citizenship, so law-abiding that our precinct 
has not had a justice of the peace for more than 25 
3^ears. Almost any other community of the same size 
would not only need a justice of the peace but would 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 127 

also need two constables to help him keep the peace. 
We have good schools, churches, roads, many nice 
farms in cultivation, and we raise good crops of corn, 
wheat, oats, sorghum, cotton, potatoes, turnips, 
pumpkins, melons, and several kinds of fruits and 
berries. We also raise horses, mules, cattle, sheep, 
goats, hogs and poultry. The butter and milk indus- 
try has grown to be quite a paying proposition. I see 
no reason why we should not claim first place in the 
things that go to make an independent people and a 
better citizenship. Great changes have been wrought 
l)ut to tell of all of the changes that have come to 
l*i])c Creek through all these years would recjuire a 
hctier thinker than 1 claim to have. 1 was born in 
Stoddard county, Missouri, according to record, Sep- 
tember 15, 1849, and was partly reared during that 
unfortunate struggle between the North and South, 
so did not have the advantage of much schooling, and 
in ottering these few scattering remarks I do so with 
the wish that they will do harm to no one. 



EARLY DAY MAIL CARRYING. 

August Santleben in his book, "A Texas Pioneer," 
mentions the fact that his father, Christian Santleben, 
who lived near Castroville, secured the contract to 
carry the mail froin Castroville to Bandera, a distance 
of 32 miles, coming up Monday and returning Tues- 
day. The pay was $300 per annum. The route con- 
nected with the San Antonio and Eagle Pass mail 
line. This was in 1859 and August Santleben, then 
a lad 14 years old, carried the mail on horseback via 
the ranches of Dr. Behm, Tuerpe and Bladen Mitchell. 



128 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

AN INDIAN CAPTIVE. 

Frank M. Buckelcw, who now lives at Medina 
in this county, spent eleven months in captivit}' 
among the Indians. Mr. Buckelew has published a 
book recounting his experiences while in captivity, 
and as the edition is about exhausted he expects to 
rewrite the book, including therein additional details, 
and we are sure it will prove an interesting volume. 
For many j^ears he has been a minister in the Metho- 
dist church. The story of his captivity is about as 
follows: 

In 18(56 when he was about 14 years of age, he 
was working for Judge Davenport ili Sabinal Canyon. 
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Buckelew, were 
dead, and young Buckelew was living with his tw^o 
sisters on the Davenport ranch. In company with a 
negro boy, Frank Buckelew was sent out to hunt for 
a lost ox bell that had dropped off somewhere on the 
range. The two boys found something in a thicket 
that aroused their curiosity, and upon close investi- 
gation it proved to be an Indian under a blanket. 
The Indian sprang toward them with a whoop, when 
the boys turned and fled, with the Indian after them. 
He came near enough to strike Frank over the head 
with his bow and captured him, but the negro boy 
made his escape. 

The lad was taken up on a mountain hy the In- 
dian, and conducted to the chief, who questioned him 
in broken English, and then gave orders for his 
clothes to be stripped oft*. Several Indians had ap- 
peared by this time, aiid after a sort of pow wow, 
they ordered the boy to go out on the brow of the 



Pioneer Sisiory of Bandera Vounty 129 

iiiouniaiii where he could see the house and call his 
sisters to him. But the little negro boy had reached 
the house and given the alarm and the girls were sus- 
picious that something was wrong and. although they 
were fearfully ahirmcd for their brother's safety, they 
would not venture out. There was not a man on the 
ranch at the time, and if the Indians had known this 
they would probably have made an attack and mas- 
sacred the helpless women there. Failing to decoy the 
girls awa}^ from the house, the Indians took Frank am! 
went west, stopping in the head of the Nueces C;in- 
yon. Here they securely bound the boy hand and 
foot, laid him in a gulley and left him while they wen! 
down the valley to steal horses. They were absent 
all day, and when they returned they brought a num- 
ber of horses with them, and taking the captive they 
went to their large encampment on the Pecos river, 
several days journey. These were Lipan Indians. 

During his captivity the boy was often put to test 
by the Indians and proved that he was not a coward. 
They often tormented him and treated him cruelly, 
especially was this true when he was first taken into 
the tribe. Indian boys took special delight in making 
life miserable for him until one day he suddenly re- 
taliated by giving one of them a severe beating. He 
was badly scared in consequence, thinking now for 
certain the Indians would kill him.bul.on the contrary 
they applauded the act, and crowding around they 
patted him on the back and cried "Bravo, bravo!" as- 
suring him that some day he would be heap big chief. 

On one occasion a squaw drew a very sharp knife 
across his throat, as a threat that she would kill him 
but as he did not flinch, she desisted. Had he shown 



180 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

the least sign of fear there is no doubt but that she 
would have used the knife. 

Frank Buckelew remained in the camp on the Pecos 
for many months, during which time he learned to 
make arrows and bows and how to use them. He often 
made trips into Mexico with the Indians. On one of 
these trips he was seen by a man named Hudson, whc^ 
arranged for his escape, so while at San Vicente, with 
the assistance of a young Mexican, Frank Buckelew 
was successful in eluding the Indians and went to the 
home of Mr. Hudson, who accompanied him to Fort 
Clark and then brought him back to his people. 

In recounting his introduction to the Indians at 
the village where they arrived after his capture, Mr. 
Bucklew, in his book, says: "In passing the river, by 
some means my pony fell behind some little distance, 
and had not yet overtaken the Indians when they 
were met by two young warriors dressed and painted 
in their war garb. About the time the two warriors 
met the savages in advance I saw an old squaw com- 
ing on foot from the village toward the party. She 
<^arried something in lier hand which at first I could not 
recognize, but as she passed the part.y of savages with 
an air of sullen indifference, and advanced toward me 
I discovered that it was a ((uirt she was carrying. Be- 
ing ignorant of her object and helpless in the matter 
I rode forward until I met her. When she reached me 
she seized my horse by the reins and made signs for 
me to dismount, which I did without delay. No 
sooner had I landed on the ground than she began 
whipping me with the quirt. My body being naked, 
every lick seemed to cut to the blood, and every sec- 
ond her anger seemed to increase until I began to 



Pioneer Eisiory of Bandera County 131 

think her a maniac, and that she rai^ht not stop her 
cruelty until I was killed. I was powerless, however, 
to prevent the cruelty and so had to bear it in patience 
until she had almost exhausted her strength whipping 
me. She then whirled me around until I faced her 
when she gave me a powerful shove toward the vil- 
lage. It was evident from the stir among the Indians 
at the village that something unusual was about to 
take place, as the old s(|uaws, l)oys and girls, all hchl 
something in their hands, either cjuirts, sticks or clubs, 
and as I neared them, they began to form in hue alorg 
the main road passing through the village. I knew 
that resistance would be useless, as there were hun- 
dreds of warriors standing near to subdue and punish 
any resistance. I walked forward, not knowing what 
fate awaited me. When I reached the end of the line 
nearest me. and which consisted of the smaller boys 
and girls, they began striking me with their clubs and 
sticks, each one intent upon striking me before 1 
passed. This continued along the entire length of 
the line, the force of the licks increasing as I reached 
the part of the line composed of the larger boys and 
girls and the old scpiaws. Before I he striking erased 
I was almost exhausted from pain and exertion, so 
much so that it required considerable effort to stand 
on my feet. I had not yet recovered from the painful 
flogging given me b}' the old scpiaw, and the ordeal 
was a terrible one. I was then painted and dressed 
as an Indian and became the adopted son of the war- 
rior who captured me." 

After being restored to his people, Frank Buckelew 
later came to Bandera and worked on the Jack ranch. 
On August 4, 1870, when he was 18 years old, he was 



132 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

married to Miss Nancy Witter, the wedding taking 
place in Bandera, and Uncle Bob Stevens performed 
the ceremony. Mr. Buckelew is an interesting char- 
acter and often visits the schools of the county and 
relates incidents of his captivity to the school children. 



W. S. HINDS, SR. 

W. S. Hinds was born Januarj^ 26, 1828, at Nox- 
ville. Ala. Came to Texas in 1845, and during the 
gold excitement he went to California in 1849, return- 
ing to Texas in 1858. He was married to Miss Nancy 
Caveness at Fort Mason. After the Civil War, in 
which he served as a soldier in the Confederate Army, 
he went to Old Mexico, then later to New Mexico to 
engage in ranching. In 1869, near Macias, N. M., he 
and his hired man were attacked by Indians and the 
hired man was killed. Mr. Hinds managed to escape 
but was compelled to abandon his wagon and team 
and the supplies he was taking to his ranch. 

In the early part of 1870 he moved his famih' from 
New Mexico to Bandera county in an ox-wagon, 
settling on what is now known as the McHaney place 
near Medina. His neighbors were Benton, P. Keese, 
Chamblin and Haught families. The Indians made 
frequent raids, killing people and driving oft stock. 
Shingle-making was the chief occupation of tlie peo- 
ple there at the time, and one day in 1871, in com- 
pany with Joe Sheppard, Mr. Hinds went up near the 
head of the North Prong of the Medina river to get a 
load of shingles. After loading them on the wagon 
they started for home and Sheppard, who was some 



Pioneer History of Band em County 7.'?,7 

distance behind, and near Dripping Bluff, was shot 
and desperately wounded by an Indian who was con- 
cealed behind a tree. Mr. Hinds took him to John 
Benton's home, now known as the old John Walker 
place, where his wound was dressed. He finally re- 
covered. 

Mr. Hinds located his home on the Medina at the 
mouth of Rocky Creek and went into the stock busi- 
ness. His devoted wife died November 15, 189.'). He 
has been a useful citizen in this count}^ for many long 
years, and is probably the oldest citizen in the county, 
being now ninety-five years old. He lives with his 
son, W. S. Hinds, Jr.. where he receives every care 
and attention. Mr. Hinds is the father of thirteen 
children, twelve of whom are still living. They are: 
R. W. Hinds, lives in Idabell, Okla., and served as 
U. S. marshal there for a number of years; G. G. 
Hinds, of Lima, is engaged in stock-farming, served 
as deputy sheriff under Major Sanders and I. W. 
Stevens several years; W. S. Hinds, Jr., lives on the 
old home place above Medina, is a stock-farmer; Mrs. 
Lorena Copeland lives at Smiley, Texas; Ben Hinds, 
lives at ^Yhite Signal, New Mexico, is a stockman; 
J. P. Hinds, engaged in stock-farming at Lima, served 
as dei)uty sheriff under Tom York, then went to Gar- 
vin, Indian Territor}^ and served as U. S. marshal 
until 1910, when he returned here and was deputy 
sheriff under Sam Smith for ■ six years; J. F. Hinds 
lives at ^Yillow City, Texas, and is a farmer; Mrs. 
Delia Stocking lives at O'Brien, Texas; Mrs. Florence 
Buckner lives at Selma, Calif.; Mrs. Helen Stacy 
lives at Ardmore, Okla; Levi Hinds lives at Comstock, 
Texas, where he owns a ranch: Dee Hinds lives at 



13 Ji- Pioneer FTif^fovy of Bavdeva County 

Calexico, Calif., and is a civil engineer and foreman 
of a dredge line at that place. 

W. S. Hinds, Sr., always stood ready to help his 
fellowman, and lent his assistance to every inovement 
for the betterment of communitj^ welfare. He donat- 
ed ground for the Rocky Creek school house, and 
took active interest in everything that would build up 
his neighborhood. Mr. Hinds always enjoyed good 
health up to 1916, when he was stricken with some- 
thing like rheumatism, since which time he has been 
unable to use his lower limbs. He has twelve living 
children, 69 grandchildren, 65 great grandchildren, 
and one great great grandchild. 



DAVID CRYER KILLED BY INDIANS. 

In 1866 David Cryer and a man named Foster, 
who lived in Hondo Canyon, went to Bandera in a 
two-horse wagon after supplies. They started back 
home across the mountains through the pass, and 
when they reached a point near Sugar Loaf Mountain, 
about ten miles from Bandera, they were attacked by 
five Indians at the head of a ravine. Cryer, who was 
driving the team, was shot in the back and fell from 
the seat backward into the bed of the wagon. Foster 
secured the reins and whipped the team into a run, 
followed by the Indians, who continued to shoot ar- 
rows. The flight was over a rocky road and during 
the race the wagonbed jolted up over a wheel and the 
horses, not being able to run with it in that condition, 
began to slacken their speed, and, as the Indians had 
dropped behind some distance, Foster stopped the 



Pioneer History of Banrlera County iSo 

team and with great effort lifted the wagonbed back 
to its place and resumed their flight. It was only 
about two miles to their home and they soon reached 
there, seeing which the Indians, who were on foot and 
away behind, turned and left them. During the wild 
ride Cryer sufi^ered terrible agony, bouncing from one 
side of the wagon to the other with the arrow still in 
his body. It was deeply imbedded and could not be 
withdrawn until O. B. Miles, of Bandera, was sent 
for, and when he came he extracted the arrow and 
dressed the wound, but Cryer died in three days. 

Several men went out to take the trail of the In- 
dians, but they had scattered and got away, Many 
were picked up along the road where the ambuscade 
occurred. The Indians were not more than thirty 
feet from Cryer and Foster when they first showed 
themselves, and likely saw the white men as they 
came through the pass, and had ample time to pre- 
pare the ambush at the head of the ravine. 



"FIGHTING JACK" POTTER. 

One of the early Methodist preachers that came to 
Bandera county was Andrew Jackson Potter, known 
as "the fighting parson" from his pugilistic encoun- 
ters with frontier characters. He had been a race- 
rider, a gambler and "tough," but was converted, re- 
formed, and entered the ministry. For many years 
he traveled over West Texas, with his bible and rifle 
always ready for instant use. At one time he owned 
a small ranch on Mason Creek in Bandera county. 
He died at Tilden, Texas, while in the pulpit. 



1S() Plonppv Hifitnry of Baiulera Count]/ 

MRS. CONSTANTINA ADAMIETZ. 

There lives in Bandera at this writing a pioneer 
mother who came here with the original Polish colon- 
ists in 1855. She is Mrs. Constantina Adamietz, and 

she carries the burden of 
years lightly, happy in 
the midst of her pleasant 
home surroundings. Liv- 
ing as she does on the 
very site of where her 
parents first found haven 
some sixty-seven years 
ago, Mrs. Adamietz has 
much to remind her of 
the trying times through 
which she has passed 
- — days and nights that 
were full of danger -and 
the memories of a peril- 
ous past sometimes over- 
whelm the realization of 
the happy present and 
brings to her mind the recollection of many sad tra- 
gedies, or the remembrance of departed friends and 
loved ones of her youthful days who shared with her 
the joys and sorrows of days that are gone. 

When I visited Mother Adamietz I found her busy 
with her housework, for she is still a housekeeper de- 
spite the years that have accumulated over her head. 
With that matronly dignity and grace that character- 
izes her race, she invited me into her parlor and the 
warm welcome she gave made me feel perfectly at 




Mother Adamietz 



Pioneer History of Bandera Coiinty 137 

home and free to ask questions about her experience 
in this her adopted country. 

Mrs. Adamietz is living- on the site given to her 
father when he came to Bandera in 1855. The old 
home, which was a stone house, is still standing, but 
is in a dilapidated condition, the walls are falling in, 
and the roof is in bad shape. But a new house of 
considerable size has been built to take its place, and 
is occupied by Mrs. Adamietz and Mr. and Mrs. Wal- 
ter E. Ruge. Mrs. Huge is her youngest daughter. 
Around about this old homestead are other houses 
built in that early period by her neighbors, some of 
logs and pickets, and a number of them are well pre- 
served and shelter descendants of the first colonists. 

Mother Adamietz, in relating many of the events 
of those days, was quick to remember dates and names 
and at times she spoke with much feeling. Sometimes 
a tear would glisten as she recalled some pathetic in- 
cident, and at other times a hearty laugh would ac- 
company her recital of a humorous anecdote. Her 
narrative follows: 

"My parents, John and Frances Pyka, were poor 
peasants in Polalid, struggling along from year to 
year, enduring the hard lot of the peasants of that 
time. One day father heard of the opportunities for 
immigrants to secure homes in America, nnd was told 
that he could go with a party that was being made 
up to sail for the New World, the land of the free. 
Poland's struggles for freedom have been recorded in 
history. Our country was not successful as was Amer- 
ica, and Polisli patriots turned longing eyes in this 
directioii and rejoiced over the good fortune of their 
comrades who came to this country . Therefore, wlieii 



138 . Pioneer History of Bandera Countij 

the opportunity presented itself for father to bring 
his family to America he was quick to seize upon the 
chance. Preparations were hastily made and we were 
ready long before the starting time. At last word 
came that we were to start on a certain day, and then 
came the sorrow of bidding old friends goodbye — 
friends we never expected to meet again in this life, 
unless they should come to America. I was just a 
little girl then, only nine years old, with never a care 
or worry, and full of anticipation of the long journey. 
But when I kissed loved ones there goodbye my heart 
was sad and I could not keep from crying. 

"We started, sixteen families in all. Our family 
consisted of father and mother, myself, my two sis- 
ters, Frances and Caroline, and brother, John Pyka. 
I was the eldest child and of course it was my duty to 
help mother with the smaller children. We went 
aboard ship, and for nine weeks we sailed the broad 
ocean. Every day was just alike, and at night a still- 
ness as of death settled about us. Mother suffered a 
great deal from seasickness, as did many of the other 
passengers. Three of our party died on the trip and 
were given a sea burial. The bodies were wrapped in 
canvas, weights attached, and dropped overboard. I 
was greatly distressed when these burials took place 
for I feared the fish would eat the bodies. At last 
we reached Galveston Bay, and there was much hur- 
rying and scurrying about when the ship dropped 
anchor. Everybody began collecting their scant be- 
longings, mothers calling their children, and the men 
giving directions for all to keep together. We landed 



Pioneer Hisfoni of Bandera Conntij 139 

at Galveston in January, 1855. In our party were 
the families of Verner, Koerdles, Pittel, John Pyka, 
Kasper Kalka, Albert Ilaiduk, Frank Anderwald, 
Samuel Adamietz, Frank Jureczki, John Dugos, and 
three or four others whose names I cannot now recall. 
We were absolutely without money, and possessed 
only a few effects besides our clothing. From Gal- 
veston we went to Indianola, from whence we travel- 
ed by wagon and on foot to Victoria, and then on to 
San Antonio, where we were met by Charles de Mon- 
tel, who owned the land where Bandera is situated. 
He provided conveyance and took us to Castroville 
and Quihi. I remember quite well the conveyance 
that served us. The vehiclces were ox-carts with 
solid wooden wheels, and the yokes were fastened to 




Catholic Cliurch al Bandera, Built in 187(3 



140 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

the horns of the oxen. We were overjoyed to reach 
the end of our long journey. Mr. Montel gave to each 
man in our party a lot in the town of Bandera, and 
sold to a number of them small tracts of land in the 
vicinit3^ Father bought, on credit, 40 acres located 
just across the river, and it is now owned by my 
brother, John Pyka. Very soon a number of cabins 
were built, of logs and pickets, and we were ''at home" 
therein. There was a colony of Mormons here when 
we arrived but they later moved to the Mormon 
Camp, several miles below here.* Of the settlers who 
were here when we came I know of only two that re- 
main, George Hay and Amasa Clark. 

"Then, as now, this was a beautiful country, but 
it was a wilderness. Game was plentiful and we did 
not lack for meat. Indians were also numerous, and 
often we heard of the raids they made in other parts 
of the country, killing people and stealing horses, and 
and they soon began coming into our settlement. 
Then we wished we were back in Poland where no 
such dangers lurked, but as we were without means 
on which to leave we were compelled to remain here 
and 'grow up with the country.' We soon became 
accustomed to our new surroundings, the social life of 
the community became active, and we set about to 
make it as enjo^^able and happy as our circumstances 
would permit. Mr. Montel was a generous man, and 
treated our people with kind consideration. He had 
a sawmill here and gave our men employment at the 
mill and also put them to clearing lafid. The women 
helped to grub land, worked in the fields and perform- 
ed any labor they could to help make the living. At 
the sawmill, which was located where the old Peters 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 1^1 

gin now stands, great cypress trees were converted 
into lumber and shingles and hauled to San Antonio. 
Mr. Munroe, a Mormon, erected a flour mill just below 
town, which was operated by water taken from the 
river. The dam was made of logs and stones, some 
of which remain in the river at a point near The Loop, 
and the old mill race is still to be seen along the bank 
of the river. This mill race was constructed by Polish 
labor, men and women digging it with spades. Among 
the best workers was Mrs. Moravietz, who still lives 
here. The mill was carried away by a flood in the 
river after many years of successful operation. 

"Mr. Montel had a small store here which was 
managed by a Mr. Hepke. Mother cooked for the 
men who worked for Montel. Father was a wheel- 
wright and carpenter and followed his trade. Every- 
body worked. We realized that we had come as 
strangers to a strange land and we knew that the only 
hope for us to succeed in this new land was by dint 
of industry' and hard work. How well we performed 
our task is apparent today in the development that 
has been made. The generations that have followed 
these early Polish settlers have become thoroughly 
Americanized by the process of amalgamation. Pretty 
homes, well tilled farms, schools, refinement, religious 
influences that are widespread, and a happy, thrifty, 
contented people is what the stranger finds here today. 
We, the pioneers, had our pai t in the making of all 
of this, and we look with pride on what our hands 
have wrought. 

*T was married to John Adamietz, May 10, 1866, 
Father Zielenski performing the ceremony. To us 
were born 11 children. My eldest son, Valentine J. 



142 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

x4Ldamietz died May 5, 1921, at Thibedeaiix, La. An- 
other son, Pete Adamietz, died March 2, 1893, and 
Felix Adamietz was killed while mining at Morenci, 
Arizona, in 1901. Eight children yet survive, and are 
located near me. They are Mrs. Mary Kindla, Alex 
Adamietz, Mrs. Annie Abernathy, Mrs. Bina Jureczki, 
Matt Adamietz, Henry Adamietz, Ignatius Adamietz 
and Mrs. Frances Ruge. All live in or near Bandera, 
except Mrs. Abernathy, who resides in San Antonio. 
My brothers, Frank and Anton Pyka, were born after 
my parents came to Bandera, and were raised here. 

"We bought our first milk cow at Castroville, and 
father went down there afoot and drove her home. 
I have plowed in the field, picked cotton and done all 
kind of farm work. I remember the first roasting ears 
we had to eat. An American neighber named Curtis 
showed us how to cook them on the cobs and eat them. 
We never had roasting ears in the old country. 

"In the course of time other families came over 
from Poland, among them being Anton Pyka, Sr., Tom 
Mazurek, Jakob Jureczki, and some came from the 
Polish colony in Karnes county, Mr. Zerner, the father 
of Mrs. Kaspcr Dugosaiid Mrs. Albert Jureczki, being 
among the latter. 

"My husband died October 25, 1911. My parents 
died many years ago. I can recall many tragedies of 
those times, for the Indians made frequent raids into 
this settlement and stole horses. One night they stole 
some horses from Herman Thallman's stable that was 
located near where the Davenport store now stands. 
They got the horses by removing several logs from the 
stable. One night Gideon Carter, a Mormon, 
was carrying a little child in his arms and, with his 



Pioneer History of Handera County 143 

sister, was going to visit a neighbor. An Indian con- 
cealed behind a tree or in a fence corner shot Mr. Car- 
ter through the body with an arrow. He ran to the 
home of O. B. Miles where the arrow was pulled out. 
Carter recovered and afterward went to Utah. Albert 
Haiduk also had a narrow escape from death. One 
night he thought he heard some cattle breaking into 
his corn field, and when he went to investigate he 
found it was Indians. He ran back to the house, but 
was wounded with an arrow before he could get inside. 
The Indians got all of his horses. I remember when 
Frank Buckelew was taken captive by the Indians, 
and also recollect the killing of Theodore Kindla 
over in Sabinal Canyon. I recall the time when 
Amasa Clark, Dr. Thompson and John Kindla were 
attacked by robbers on the road from San Antonio. 
Dr. Thompson was killed outright; Kindla died from 
the effects of his wounds several years later, and Mr. 
Clark fully recovered and is w^ith us yet. Bandera 
county's chapter of tragedies is a long one. The 
savage red man left a trail of blood through this re- 
gion that made many homes desolate and brought 
woe and grief to the people. Those were trying 
times, and the present generation in luxuiy cannot 
gain the faintest idea of the privations and hardships 
endured by those who blazed the way for civilization. 
Besides the dangers that lurked on every hand, we 
had to do without many things that are necessary to- 
day. We had no drugs or medicines and when over- 
taken by illness homeopathic remedies were resorted 
to. Every housewife knew how to "doctor" her 
children, and how to set and l)andage fractured limbs, 
make poultices, dress wounds and relieve suti'ering. 



i44 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

We had no furniture except home-made articles. We 
had no cook stoves, the open fire-place and the skillet 
and pots cooked our meals. We carded wool and 
cotton and wore homespun clothing. Every girl 
learned to spin and weave and many of the boys 
learned it too. The men had to split rails to build 
fences — barbed wire was then unknown. We had to 
invent many ways to get along in those days. 

"When tne Civil War came on we remained aloof 
from partizanship, but many of our American and 
German neighbors became involved and some went to 
war, while others went to Mexico. Men were hung 
for their sentiments and many disappeared to never 
be heard of again. These were terrible times. 

"The Spanish- American War came on in 1898, and 
several of our young men enlisted. Then in 1914 the 
World War was started, and when America became 
involved our sons went forth to offer their lives on 
the altar of patriotism. Some of our Bandera boys 
made the supreme sacrifice on the battlefield. 

"Three-quarters of a century have passed over my 
head — years that have been full of joy and sorrow, 
pleasure and excitement, and now as I sit in the twi- 
light of life's autumn and behold the wonderful 
changes that have taken place, I am proud to know 
that I have been an humble i)articipant in Bandera's 
making." 



Pioneer ITistory of Bandera Vonniy 74^ 

LEOPOLD HABY. 

Leopold Haby was born in the Haby Settlement, 
now called Rioniedina, in Medina county, November 
15, 1851. His parents came from Oeberenzen, Alsace, 
Germany, in the spring of that year and located in 
that settlement, where they raised a family of nine 
children, seven sons and two daughters, namely, Leo- 
pold, Gregor, Raymond, Guido, John, Alex, Otto, 
Theresia and Katie. Theresia married M. J. Ripps 
and afterwards died. Guido and John Haby are also 
dead. Katie married Clias. Wurzbach, and still lives 
at Rioniedina. Gregor lives at Bonita, Ariz ; Ray- 
mond at Uvalde, Alex and Otto live at Rioniedina, 
and Leopold lives nfear Medina Lake. The father, 
Jacob Haby, died December 11, 1899, aged 76, and 
the mother, Mrs. Catherine Haby (nee Mann) died 
February 17, 1916, aged 83. 

When Leopold was eight years old he accompanied 
his father on a freighting trip to Port Lavaca with an 
ox-team. Two trips were made in the year 1859, and 
two trips the next year, 1860. Each trip required 
three to four weeks time. Other trips were made in 
1863 from San Antonio to Eagle Pass, then young 
Haby was needed at home to take care of the stock 
and farm, as all of the young men went into the 
army. Indians were ver^^ troublesome in those days. 
Nick Haby, an uncle, killed an Indian one night when 
the redskin was trying to steal horses from a pen at 
his home in the Haby settlement. 

In 1868 Leopold Haby went on his first cow-hunt- 
ing trip, coming up in Bandera county to the ranch 
of August and Celeste Pingenot, which is now owned 



lJi.6 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

by Louis Haegelin. In the party with him were Jacob 
Koening, Louis and August Rothe, Adolf Wurzbach, 
Ben Wernette, George Heyen, Bill Shoemaker and 
Justin Hans. August Pingenot joined the party and 
they hunted and rounded up cattle throughout the 
country around Bandera, penning at the ranch of 
Polly and Jose Rodriguez, at the Jack ranch, at the 
Bandy ranch, and at Bladen Mitchell's. 

Mr. Haby relates some of his experiences as follows : 
"In the spring 1870, myself, Joe Haegelin, Alex 
Haegelin, John Liebold, and Joe Brieten went with 
ox teams to San Antonio, and loaded freight to take 
to Fort Concho, a distance of about 200 miles. We 
remained at Fort Concho all summer, and hauled hay 
for the government, Christopher Schuchart having the 
contract. We returned home and the following year 
we again hauled frieght from San Antonio to Fort 
Concho. In 1872 I enlisted in Company V Minute 
Men, composed of George Haby, Captain; John Green 
lieutenant; Charles Brown, Adolph Wurzbach, Julius 
Heihling, Frank Monier, Joe Burrell, Sr., Armin 
Boehme, John Kami, Joe Burrell, Jr., Frank Beal, G. 
Zapata, Sari a Menchaca, Jones and Van Riper. We 
enlisted at Boerne November 6, 1872, and during the 
next few months we were kept busy scouting and 
trailing Indians. A bunch of redskins came down on 
a raid and stole horses near San Antonio and as far 
out as the Culebra. They secured 110 head and start- 
ed west with them, camping the first night at Mescal 
Spring. Here they killed a horse and ate it. From 
■here they went by Mitchell Crossing, up Cypress 
Creek, thence west over to the Verdes. They passed 
within two miles of the Davenport ranch, and near 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 1^7 

there killed another horse and had a feast, and then 
went on to Sycamore Spring, about five miles from 
where Tarpley is now located. John Green and some 
of the minuet men were in camp on the Culebra, and 
(ieorge Haby and men were camped on Elm Creek 
when this raid took place. There were about twenty 
men in the two companies. We immediately took the 
trail which led out towards the head of the Hondo and 
Verde Creeks, the route being known as the old In- 
dian trail. It was late in the afternoon, and after 
getting our supper we took a direct course to tlie 
Davenport ranch, where F. L. Hicks, a noted scout 
and Indian fighter, joined us, and we followed the old 
cattle trail to the Hondo, stopping about two hours 
before daylight to secure sleep and rest. Mr. Hicks 
stood guard and made cofi'ee for us while we slept. 
We turned out and again got in the saddle at day- 
break and made our way to Sycamore Spring, and 
just as we reached there we saw three Indians coming 
Over a hill. They discovered us about the same time 
and took to the brush and got away. We made dili- 
gent search for the remainder of the band but did not 
find them, but we got the stolen horses, 110 head. 
After scouting around for sometimes we decided the 
Indians had made good their escape, so we started 
back home with the recaptured horses, coming via 
Bandera. Some of the men went back on the trail in 
hopes of finding horses that the Indians had abandoned 
and we all met at Pingenot's ranch that night. We 
received our discharges in 1873 and the company dis- 
banded. I was married October 18, 1875, to Miss 
Hortensia Haegelin, the ceremony taking place in 
St. Joseph's Catholic church in the city of San Antonio. 



14.8 Pioneer Histojnj of Bandera County 

We made our home three miles from the Haby 
settlement, where I engaged in farming and stock- 
raising for eight years. In 1883 I moved to Bandera 
county with my family, settling on Vance Creek, near 
Mescal Springs, thirteen miles east of Bandera, where 
I am still living." 

Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Haby have six children, 
three sons and three daughters. They are Titus A. 
Haby, Helotes; Mrs. Alexandrina Ahr, Lacoste; Mrs. 
Olga Tschirhart. Medina Lake; Robert Haby, Rio- 
medina; Mrs. Louise Letcher, Pipe Creek; Arnold L. 
Haby, Medina Lake. 



UNCLE JACK STEVENS. 

J. L. Stevens was born in Green county, Tennessee, 
February 6, 1838. His mother having died in his in- 
fancy he lived with his grandparents in Tennessee 
until he was nine years of age, then, with them, he 
went to Madison county, Arkansas, to visit his father, 
but before they reached there his father died. They 
remained in Marion county three j^ears. Both of his 
grandparents died, so with two of his uncles, Henry 
and Billy Stevens, he started for Texas. It required 
six weeks to make the trip of about 400 miles, but it 
was a very interesting trip for a boy of twelve years. 
Buffalo and many other kinds of wild game abounded 
in the country through which they passed and many 
times they saw the carcasses of these animals near 
the road wnere they were killed by hunters. 

Upon reaching Texas they stopped in San Antonio 
for some months. San Antonio was then only a small 



Pioneer Hiaforif of Bandera Coniity 149 

town composed principally of Mexican huts built of 
adobe and grass. From here they went to Atascosa 
county and engaged in farming and cattle raising. 
Here Jack, as he was called, learned the blacksmith's 
trade and assisted his uncle, Henry Stevens, in a shop. 

In 1854 there was a severe drouth in the country 
south of San Antonio which lasted for three years, so 
they moved their cattle up into Bandera co'inty, 
where Billie Stevens had acquired considerable range 
land. One of the first men they met when they got 
to Bandera was Amasa Clark. Jack immediately fell 
in love with this country and remain«^d here most of 
the time until the Civil War began. 

Bandera county was a much more open country 
then than now. The hills which are now covered 
with brush were then only covered with rank grass. 
Water, too, was more abundant in the country in 
those days. Creeks, which are now dry most of the 
year, then afforded good swimming and fishing pools. 

In the spring of 1861 he went to San Antonio and 
enlisted in the 32nd Texas Cavalry, Co. I, and served 
in that company the full duration of the war. He 
was engaged in numerous skirmishes but was never in 
any real battles as he was in Texas and Louisiana 
during the whole time. After the war was over and 
he had received his discharge he went to iVtascosa 
county. Somewhere in the Bible it is said that 
"where a one's treasure is there the heart will be 
also." This was literally true in this case, for he 
rented a blacksmith shop and worked there for two 
years, making occasional trips to Bandera. In March, 
1866, he was married to Miss Lucy Wells of Atascosa. 
Of course, new that he could take his "treasure" with 



IftO Pioneer History of Bandera County 

him, he was anxious to make Bandera — the place he 
Hked so well — ^his home. Accordingly he returned here 
and purchased a small place on Hicks' Creek, nine 
miles from the town of Bandera, which at that time 
was only a small settlement composed mostly of a 
colony from Poland, and a remnant of a Mormon 
settlement which had located about ten miles below. 
Mr. Stevens moved his bride to their place on Hicks' 
Creek in November, 1866. They came through in an 
ox-wagon, taking five days to make the trip. The 
first thing they did when they reached their place was 
to erect a log cabin near a beautiful spring on the 
creek, near where the home of Mrs. F. L. Hicks now 
stands, and they lived in this cabin two years, then 
moved farther up the creek near another spring. Not 
far from this site their present home now stands. Mr. 
and Mrs. F. L. Hicks were their nearest neighbors. 
They, and a family by the name of Taylor and the 
Pue brothers, Arthur, Bob, Ventress and Will, were 
the only people living on Hicks' Creek at that time. 
On Laxson's Creek, two miles to the west, lived Jessie 
and Tom Laxson. the Arnolds, Merritts, Walkers and 
Buckelews. There was no settlement whatever above 
them for several miles above where Medina now 
stands. Other families moved in, but when they 
heard of an Indian raid they would leave. 

The Indians were a constant menace to the lives 
and property of the people. It was almost impossible 
to keep horses. Mr. Stevens lost all he had twice. 
The men never thought of leaving off their six-shooters 
any more than they would their shoes. 

Farming was all done with oxen, walking plows 
being the only implements used. Small grain was 



Pioneer HiMnrij of Bandera Count] f 151 

rut with cradle and scythes and in the early years 
they threshed with sticks. The first threshers in the 
country were tread -power threshers run by one horse. 
The horse had to be changed often as it was very 
hard on them. 

The familes went to church in ox wagons and 
hauled their supplies from San Antonio, a distance of 
60 miles. 

The produce of the country was very cheap and 
hard to sell. Cattle sold as low as $3 per head. One 
of the sources the people had of making money was 
the making of the immense cj^press trees, which grew 
along the river, into shingles which they hauled to 
San Antonio. The stumps of these trees that were 
used for shingles can still be seen along the river. 

The last raid the Indians made through the country 
around Mr. Stevens was in the early part of 1873, 
when a party came through, killing a Mrs. Moore on 
Laxson Creek and killing and stealing horses. When 
Indians were heard of in the country the men always 
dropped their work no matter what it was and formed 
a party to try to catch them. The Indians usually 
got through the country in such a hurry that they 
were seldom caught up with. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stevens are still living on their 
place on Hick's Creek. They raised a family of 
thirteen children, twelve of whom are now living — six 
sons and six daughters. 



1.53 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

THE BANDERA BUGLE. 

The Bandera Bugle was established by Stevenson 
& Ward December 3, 1880. The paper, a five-column 
four-page sheet, was neatly gotten up, and the local 
advertisers therein were H. H. Carmichael and E. 
Huffmeyer & Bro., general stores; Bandera Institute, 
W. J. Ryan, principal; F. W. Ellis, carpenter; Bandera 
Hotel, Henry Hamilton, proprietor; and Land for 
Sale by Chas. Montague, Jr., county clerk. The first 
page of the first issue contained two letters from Kerr- 
ville, one from Center Point and one from Castroville 
from correspondents. The Kerrville letter stated that 
R. H. Storms had qualified as county judge; that 
James Brown and Miss Maggie Witt were united in 
matrimony by Rev. A. J. Cowart of Center Point; 
August Rossberg died of trichina. The Center Point 
letter stated among other things that corn was worth 
75 cents a bushel and flour $4.00 per hundred pounds; 
that a Christian minister "dipped" a grown man and 
a little girl in the freezing waters of the Guadalupe, 
and that cotton picking was over and wheat sowing 
suspended owing to bad weather. The following law 
cards appeared on first page: W. W\ Martin, R. H. 
Burney, Kerrville; Leslie Thompson, W. R. Wallace, 
Hal Gosling, Castroville. The official directory gives 
the following list of county and district officers: Dis- 
trict Judge, T. M. Paschal: District Attorney, W. R. 
Wallace; County Judge, T. A. Peacock; Sheriff^, Henry 
Hamilton; Clerk, Chas. Montague, Jr.; Assessor, F. 
G. Newcomer; Treasurer, J. A. Hudspeth; Surveyor, 
Sam Stevens; Commissioners, John Adamietz, F. W. 
Dorow, C. T. Parker and W. M. Taylor. Following 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 153 

we give some of the items just as they appeared in 
the local columns of the first issue of the Bugle: 

^The jail is without an occupant. 
^[A new school house and church is being built at 
Pipe Creek. 

TfProf. Ryan's school numbers over fifty in regular 
attendance. 

^Soap bubbles and merchants who don't advertise 
soon burst. 

^Huffmeyer & Bro. shipped two wagon loads of 
pecans to San Antonio last week. 

^[The Bandera brass band under the supervision of 
Mr. Bowser is progressing nicely. 

^Rev. Father Eberhard, Catholic pastor at this 
place, celebrates high mass at Boerne tomorrow. 

^Eighty-eight bales of cotton have been ginned by 
Mr. Carmichael thus far this season. He expects to 
reach 100 bales before the season closes. 

^The foundation for the new school house has been 
completed and the construction of this house will 
commence as soon as the weather will permit. 

^A wagon load of wild turkeys were brought into 
town last week and sold for 25 cents apiece. Every- 
body' could have a gobbler for Thanksgiving. This 
is the advantage of living in a county where there is 
plenty of game. 

Stevenson & Ward sold the Bandera Bugle to John 
Guthrie, a Scotsman, who maintained his office in the 
house now occupied by J. F. Tail's blacksmitli shop, 
where he continued several years. He later moved 
the plant to Boerne where he established the Boerne 
Post. He died there in 1904. Will Guthrie, one of 
the former owners of the San Angelo Standard, was a 
son of the editor of the Bandera Bugle. 



15 Jp Pioneer History of Bandera County 

THE KILLING OF JACK PHILLIPS. 

About the last killing by the Indians that took 
place in Bandera county, was the murder of Jack 
Phillips at Seco Pass, in the winter of 1875. Jack 
Phillips was the father of Tom H. Phillips, now a 
prominent ranchman and merchant at Lima, in this 
county. The best facts obtainable in regard to this 
tragedy are given in A. J. Sowell's book, *'Indian 
Fighters of Texas." and are as follows: 

"Jack Phillips, who lived six miles above Bandera 
on Winan's Creek, started to Sabinal Canyon on 
business for his brother-in-law. Buck Hamilton, who 
was sheriff of Bandera county. There was no wagon 
road over the mountain to the canyon after leaving 
the settlement in Hondo Canyon; only a horse trail 
from there on. Phillips ate dinner with M. C. Click, 
then living in Hondo Canyon, and then went on his 
way. When he arrived at the pass which leads into 
Seco Canyon he was attacked and killed by Indians. 
The trail was above where the main road runs. Mr. 
F. L. Hicks had made a pasture fence across the trail 
and in lieu of a gate Imd common draw bars through 
which to pass. Phillips got through this and the In- 
dians came down a point to the right and made attack 
upon him. He ran back the way he came and suc- 
ceeded in getting through the bars again, but was pur- 
sued. It was a long chase of half a mile, the Indians 
firing, and the horse was finally shot through the 
shoulder with a ball and fell into the ravine. The 
doomed man now took down the ravine on foot, but 
was soon overtaken and killed. If he made any 
fight with them it could not be told. 



Pioneer Histonj of Bandera County llift 

**At this time Mr. William Felts and Miss Jose- 
phine E. Durban were on their way from Sabinal 
Canyon to Bandera to get married, and came upon 
the body shortly after the Indians left. They first 
saw the horse which was lying in sight of the trail, 
and went to him. Here they discovered the tracks of 
Phillips, where he ran down the ravine, and following 
these about fiiiy yards came to him lying face down- 
ward. They hurried to the ranch of Mr. Click, told 
him the news and stayed at his house that night. 
Next morning Click, Weaver and others went after 
the body and Felt and Miss Durban went on to Ban- 
dera and carried the news over there. When Mr. 
Click and party arrived at the scene of the killing the 
horse was still alive but unable to get up and was 
shot by Dave Weaver. The body of Phillips lay face 
downward, stripped and mutilated. The Indians had 
taken the saddle off the horse and carried it away. 
The bodj^ was brought to Joel Casey's the nearest 
Hondo settler, and Mr. Click went to Bandera that 
night and had a coffin made. Mr. Phillips was a 
Mason and was buried by them at Bandera. The 
Indians were followed by Hondo men, but not over- 
taken. The shoes of Phillips were found on the 
trail. A scout of Texas rangers was on trail of these 
same Indians, but their horses gave out and they 
were just turning back on Wallace Creek, fifteen miles 
away north, at the time the Indians were killing 
Jack Phillips, it was learned afterwards." 



I'^tO Pioneei' History of Bandera County 

BUCK HAMILTON. 

Henry Hamilton, more generally known as "Buck'* 
Hamilton, was sheriff of Bandera county several terms. 
He was born in Weekly county, Tennessee, April 15, 
1833, and was married to Miss P. A. Phillips Novem- 
ber 25, 1856. When he moved his family to Texas in 
1859 he settled in Kerr county where he resided until 
1869, when he came to Bandera county and remained 
here until his death, which occurred in 1888. 

In February, 1875, Mr. Hamilton was elected 
sheriff of Bandera county, which office he held con- 
tinuously until the day of his death, and during which 
time he, by his cool undaunted courage and widely 
directed energy, won for himself the well-earned repu- 
tation of being one of the very best sheriffs in Western 
Texas. In speaking of the death of Sheriff Hamilton, 
the Bandera Enterprise of July 26, 1888, said: 

"Mr. Hamilton was not only a good officer, but he 
was a good man; a man whose big heart was fall to 
overflowing with sympathy for the unfortunate, and 
whose large and generous soul was a well-spring of 
cheerful good hu^mor which constantly flowed out to 
all with whom he came in contact, binding them to 
him in chains of lasting friendship. Deceased left a 
wife and several children to mourn his untimely de- 
mise, and whose deep and pungent grief is shared by 
hundreds who realize that in the death of Henry Ham- 
ilton they have lost a true and noble friend, and that 
the community has lost an officer and a citizen whose 
place, as such officer and citizen, will long remain va- 
if indeed it be possible for any man to ever fill it 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 157 

with that degree of satisfaction to the public generally 
that Mr. Hamilton gave." 

From the Bandera Bugle of about the same date 
the following was clipped : 

"The hopes of recovery entertained on Thursday 
last previous to the issue of the Bugle proved falla- 
cious. Daily the sufferer grew weaker, and on Mon- 
day evening about 11 o'clock he quietly breathed his 
last; and he who had been familiarly known over this 
western country for many years as 'Buck,' was no 
more than mortal clay. 

"Previous Us the war, and when quite a vigorous 
young man, the deceased came from Tennessee and 
settled on the Guadalupe near Comfort. He removed 
from there and came to Bandera nearly twenty j^ears 
ago, and for twelve years he has held the office of 
sheriff. Although repeatedly opposed, his jovial, 
kindly nature made him many friends and he invar- 
iably overcame all opposition. As sheriff he had few 
equals — he was sagacious and cool in judgment. For 
many year's the counties around ih this western sec- 
tion were a harborage for criminals and desperadoes 
of the worst stamp, who committed murders and other 
crimes with impunity. But through the admirable 
judgment and fearlessness of Buck, Bandera remained 
and is at the present time one of the most peaceable 
counties in the state. Necessarily his sheriffship made 
him widelj' known, and he will be long remembered 
for his fund of anecdote, his practical jokes, his kindly 
disposition, and for the many good deeds done with- 
out ostentation and in secret. He died a comparative 
young man, being only 55 years of age. He leaves a 
wife and a grown up family of three daughters and 



158 Pioneer Hisiory of Bandera County 

four sons to mourn his loss and to grieve over the de- 
parture of a loving and self-sacrificing father. 

The remains of the deceased were interred on 
Tuesday amidst manifestations of extreme grief on the 
part of relatives, and in the presence of a large assem- 
blage of sorrowing citizens who by their presence testi- 
fied their love and respect for 'Buck.' 

J. M. Hamilton, who now lives at Kerrville, is one 
of Buck Hamilton's sons, and Mrs. Hairiet Chipmau 
of Bandera is a daughter. 



MRS. MARY E. HUDSPETH. 

Mrs. Mary E. Hudspeth, whose maiden name was 
also Hudspeth, was born in Pickens county, Alabama, 
September 20, 1834, moved to Mississippi with her 
parents when she was nine years old, and later going 
to Arkansas where she was married, in 1854, to 
William Hudspeth. They moved to Texas in 1864, 
and when the Civil War ended and their negroes 
were freed, they went to San Saba county, where 
James A. Hudspeth, a brother to the subject of this 
sketch, then lived. Xl that time Indians were num- 
erous in that region and caused a world of trouble to 
the settlers, so after remaining there a year or so Mr. 
and Mrs. William Hudspeth came to Bandera to lo- 
cate. Mr. Hudspeth was a lawyer and hung out his 
shingle here and for many years practiced in the courts 
of this and adjoining counties. He was the founder 
of the old Bandera Enterprise, a newspaper which 
was published here for about thirty-five years, or un- 
til it was burned out in 1915. Mr. Hudspeth died 



PioneerZ-Sistory of Bandera County 159 

in Bandera in 1907. The old Hudspeth homestead, 
on Water Street, is now owned by J. R. Price. 

During the early days several Hudspeth families 
lived in Bandera county. Captain Street Hudspeth, 
the school teacher who lived at Medina, was a brother 
to Mrs. Mary E. Hudspeth. He was the father of 
Hon. Claud Hudspeth, now a member of Congress 
from this district; Jimmie Hudspeth, who was well 
known to the early settlers, was a half brother to her; 
Joseph B. Hudspeth, who lived on the Hondo, was a 
cousin; another Street Hudspeth, also a cousin, and 
known as "Little Street," married Miss Mary Ham- 
ilton; and still another Street Hudspeth, who lives at 
the Dr. J. O. Butler ranch, is a cousin to her. Mrs. 
Hudspeth is now 88 years old, and lives in Bandera 
with Miss Marj^ Wachter, where she receives tenderest 
care and attention. The infirmities of age have crept 
upon her, but despite the burden of years, she is able 
to get around and often visits her friends about town. 
She treasures the friends of other days, a number of 
whom are still living here, among them being Mrs. H. 
C. S. Barnes, who is now more than 90 years old and 
lives with her son, F. D. Barnes, below Bandera. In 
the early days Lincohi & Hart conducted a general 
merchandise store in Bandera for several years. Mr. 
Hart died, and some time afterward Mr. Lincoln died. 
Mrs. Lincoln is now an invalid in a quiet retreat at 
Glendale, California. Mrs. Hudspeth speaks in af 
fectionate terms of those old friends. Everybody 
loves "Aunt Mary" Hudspeth, and those nearest and 
dearest to her praj' that she may be spared many 
years longer to bless them with her sweet presence. 



160 Pioneer Mistory of Bandera County 

GREW UP IN BANDERA COUNTY. 

Mr. O. L. Adams, who lives near Tuff, in Bandera 
county, relates his experience as follows: 

I came to Bandera county in 1883, from Callahan 
county, with my father, Richard Adams, two brothers 
and one sister. My mother died two years before we 
came here. Brother Gip was fourteen years old, I 
was nine, Brother Ben was seven, and Sister Sarah 
was five years old. My brothers and I drove 90 head 
of cattle and several saddle horses all the way through, 
standing guard at night. Father was sick and just 
able to drive the wagon team . When we left Callahan 
county we intended going to Uvalde, but when we 
reached the Medina and saw the clear water and the 
abundance of free range, he decided to locate on the 
Medina and at once bought out E. B. Bennett, near 
the head of the West Prong of the river, at what is 
now called Tuff. There was no school here at that 
time, and we had to go to Medina Cit}^ for our mail 
and supplies. We had plenty of neighbors, newcomers 
like ourselves, excepting Andy Crockett and sons, who 
were about the first settlers. Our neighbors were 
Thomas Clark, W. H. Anderson, R. E. Love, W. A. 
Haught, E. B. Bennett, Steve Howard, Billie Wilson, 
Willis Rymes, and Jack Johnson. Four months after 
our arrival father died, December 16, 1883. M^y old- 
est sister and her husband then came from Lampasas 
county and took charge of the place and the children. 
We had a hard pull to winter our cattle, as they were 
not acclimated. They were not used to the moun- 
tains and rocks and soon became tenderfooted. The 
native cattle were fat, while ours died. Our Godsend 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 167 

was plenty of venison, wild hog meat and bear, and 
wild honey was plentiful and to spare. Bread was 
very scarce and far between the first year we were 
here. After that we raised plenty of corn. In those 
days it seemed that corn would make with very little 
cultivation. I have seen good corn raised with but 
one plowing — -just streaked off as we called it. Every- 
body was so busy hunting game they did not have 
time for plowing. 

"My brother-in-law, being young and inexperienc- 
ed with stock, soon let the ranch run down, and lost 
and sold the property, retaining nothing but the bare 
homestead. His wife died August 24, 1888, leaving 
him with three small children and we four, making 
seven orphans, and he took us to the home of his 
parents, who lived onBrewington's Creek, a tributary 
of the North Prong of the Medina river, near what is 
now Lima. And right here I want to say Grandma 
Watson was one of the best women that ever lived. 
She had four small children of her own to look after, 
but cheerfully took in our crowd of seven, and was a 
real mother to all of us. She waited on the sick far 
and near, and lost her life while going to the bedside 
of Mrs. E. J. Humphries. She was drowned in u, 
small stream east of Pecan Valley on the North Prong 
of the Medina July 9, 1889. Never was a nobler 
life given in the cause of mercy. Whatever good 
there is in me today stands to the credit of Grandma 
Watson. Again we were left motherless, and I went 
to work for Mr. Lewis, who lived on Coal Creek near 
Medina City, for $10 per month. I worked for him 
six months and as there were no cold drink stands 
those days to get a boy's money, I had $60 when I 



162 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

quit. In 1890 I helped Mr. Lewis drive 1500 goats to 
Eagle Pass, intending to take them into Mexico, but 
a quarantine was on at the time so we could not get 
them across. I quit Mr. Lewis at Eagle Pass and 
went to work for Joe Moffitt, an old time Bandera 
county man who at that time was a goat buyer. I 
later learned that Mr. Lewis drove his goats back to 
the Frio, near Leakey and sold them for 75c a head, 
which was considered a fair price then. Mr. Moffitt 
and I left Eagle Pass with a herd of horses and drove 
them to Guadalupe river, where he disposed of them, 
and tried to buy goats at 50c per head. We rode 
over the counties of Kerr, Bandera, Edwards, and 
part of Uvalde, finding nothing cheaper than 75c per 
head. Mr. Moffitt said he could not pay so much, 
so we returned to Eagle Pass, in October. 1890, and 
he paid me off and let me go, because he had nothing 
further for me to do. However, he offered me a 
home with him, to stay as long as I pleased. There 
will always be a warm spot in my heart for him, for 
he treated me well. The next day I started for Ban- 
dera county, on a half-broke Spanish pony. I met 
another old Bandera citizen, Mr. Paul Means, who 
at that time lived at Eagle Pass. He was running a 
peddling wagon from Utopia to Eagle Pass, and 
wanted some one to drive stock for him which he 
bought and sold along the way. I made several trips 
with him, and then returned to my brother-in-law's 
on the North Prong of the Medina where I remained 
until the spring of 1891. We heard there was plenty 
of work at Corpus Christi, and that wages were good 
there, and that people there would almost hire you 
whether you wanted to work or not, so my brother-in- 



Pioneer Risiory of Bandera County 163 

law took my sister Sarah, Brother Ben and myself 
along and started down there. He had his three 
children and a widow named Arnold and her seven 
children, making fifteen in our crowd. Mrs. Arnold's 
mother lived on the Nueces river, near Corpus Christi, 
I met up with a boy by the name of Wesley White 
from the Frio, and he and I decided to go on ahead 
and try to get work. We borrowed all the money 
Brother Ben had, which was ten cents, and left them 
at Oakville. We reached the Nueces river and 
found that we had to pay toll to get across. We 
argued with the Mexican boatman, but 10 cents 
would not get us across, so we left a pair of good 
leather leggings with him and kept our dime. We 
stayed that night in Nuecestown with a friend of 
Wesley White's, and next day began hustling for a 
job with the cotton farmers, but found none. There 
were three Mexicans for every place. We rode all 
that day in search of work, but there was none to be 
found. Late that afternoon in Corpus Christi I 
spent our dime for bread, and a fellow told us that a 
town was being built just across the Nueces Bay and 
might get work there. To get there we were instruct- 
ed to follow the wagon tracks into the bay and then 
follow between a line of stakes until we got across, so 
we plunged in and after going some distance the wa- 
ter became so deep I had to get up on my knees in 
the saddle to keep from getting wet. Wesley missed 
the road and his horse went under. Off the road the 
mud was very deep. In trying to help him my horse 
also missed the road between the stakes and seemed 
to turn a complete somersault. We finally got out 
and rode on to the town, and slept that night in our 



IGJf. Pioneer Hi stoTjj of B(uidera County 

wet clothes by the side of some cord wood which 
helped keep off the wind. We traveled all next day 
but found no work. We reached Meansville and 
turned south and crossed a slough on a bridge, in- 
tending to go to Nuecestown on the south side of the 
river. When we reached the river the ferry cable 
was broken and the river was almost out of its banks. 
W^e turned back to the bridge across the slough and 
found it gone. The river had risen since we crossed 
and had cut us off". Things looked gloomy for us. 
We hadn't eaten anything for two days, except that 
10c loaf of bread, and we were desperate. We pre- 
pared to swim the flooded river, which was about 100 
yards wide, and the waves were rolling three feet 
high. As we started into the river we were seen b}^ 
parties on the opposite side and were warned not to 
attempt to swim the stream. Thej^ sent over a boat 
and took us off. We found my brother-in-law in the 
town and that, at least, was one time I was overjoyed 
to see him. We stopped for a while and worked for 
75c per day and boarded ourselves. We almost broke 
even. Then we tried grubbing land at $8.00 per acre, 
and that was worse. At last I got a job at $10 per 
month on a farm, and stayed there until I saved 
enough money to get back to old Bandera county, 
returning here in October, 1891, When I returned I 
found a home with Tliomas Clark, where I worked 
for my board, finally 1 came back to the old home- 
stead, all we had left, but having no means to make 
a crop I was forced to look for work again. I went 
to Burnet county in the fall of 1892 and worked for 
farmers there at $12 per month, and they sure worked 
me almost to death. I remained there until the fall 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 76V7 

of 1893, and was but very little better off than when 
I started, although I had a few clothes and a pony. 
T returned to the old homestead and slept on the 
hearth without bedding until I got a little start. T 
have managed to stay there ever since. December 
28, 1897, I married Miss Ola Irvin. daughter of D. 
B. Irvin, a life-long citizen of Bandera county. We 
have been blessed with fourteen children, twelve of 
whom are living, three girls and nine boys, all able to 
oat what they can get. A short time ago I received 
a letter from Prof. Wesley Peacock of the Peacock 
Militarj^ Academ.y at San Antonio, in which he 
stated that I was worth $12,000,000, a million dollars 
for each child. I guess he is right. So you see I 
have come out O. K. by staying with old Bandera, 
where I expect to remain the balance of my days." 




Un Xorih ProuL'- of Medina Kiver 



IBG Fionmr History of Bandera County 

JOHN PYKA. 

John Pyka was born in Poland October 29, 1848, 
and came to America and Bandera in 1855 with his 
parents. He grew to manhood here and was married 
to Miss Josephine Knapek, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
Joseph Knapek. They have ten children living, 
namely. John, Jr., Alex, Pete and Ben Pyka of Ban- 
dera; Mrs. Frances Knapek, Mrs. Mary Marine, Mrs. 
J^ucy Gollihar, Mrs. Bina Franklin, all of San An- 
tonio; Misses Ida and Stella Pyka of Bandera. 

Mr. Pyka lives just across the river from Bandera, 
where he has resided many years. When he was a 
boy he witnessed many of the thrilling things that 
happened here. He says he and his sister, Mrs. John 
Adamietz, often plowed and worked in the field to- 
gether. He secured an ox-team and went to hauling 
freight, making several trips to Fort Concho with 
lumber for the government on contract for Schmidtke 
& Hay. He also hauled cotton from San Antonio to 
Eagle Pass, each trip requiring three weeks. When 
returning home he would come through Uvalde. Sabi- 
nal, and by way of the Davenport ranch. 

He was never engaged in a fight with Indians, but 
had a number of narrow escapes. One time he and 
old man Sam Adamietz were stock-hunting near the 
Julian Pass, and saw an Indian running away from 
them. Mr. Pyka was then just a small boy and 
thought the Indian was a white man who had gather- 
ed a bundle of wood and had it strapped on his back. 
He wanted to yell at him, but Mr. Adamietz advised 
to not do so as the fleeing man was an Indian. The 
bundle on his back was his quiver of arrows. At an- 



Pioneer History of Bandera Comity 167 

other time, one night, John Pyka went to the fiekl 
across the river and while there he discovered a man 
on horseback making his way along the rail fence in 
his direction. His dog and horse showed signs of 
alarm so he started back toward home, seeing which 
the Indian, for such it proved to be, attempted to 
head him oif and a race began. The moon was shin- 
ing brightly, and he could plainly see his pursuer, but 
he got on this side of the river and the Indian stopped 
about where B. F. Langford's field is now on tlie east 
side of the river. The boy hurried home and told his 
parents of the chase, but as such occurrences were 
frequent not much attention was paid to it. That 
night the Indians came into Bandera and stole some 
horses and mules from a stable that was located near 
the Duffy Hotel. 

Mr. Pyka remembers the killing of the Hardin boy 
by Indians, and went with a party of men to recover 
the body. An account of this tragedy is given in the 
narrative of J. P. Heinen, Sr. He remembers many 
other tragedies of those frontier daj^s, and after he 
grew to manhood he was called upon by Sheriff Buck 
Hamilton to assist in making arrests, or to serve 
papers in court matters. He helped to bury the eight 
men who were hanged by soldiers from Camp Verde 
July 25, 1863. The bodies were found the next morn- 
ing and Mr. Pyka says it was a most grewsome task 
to bury them. The murdered men were from Wil- 
1 iamson county and were going to Mexico to avoid 
conscription, when they were overtaken and brought 
back as far as Julian Creek and executed by some of 
their captors. The bodies were left on the ground 
until next day when they were found and buried. 



168 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

UNCLE HENRY STEVENS. 

Henry Stevens, Sr., was bcrn in Washington county, 
East Tennessee, December 23, 1818, and died in Ban- 
dera, Texas, January 12, 1912, aged 94 years. He 
was married to Miss Margaret Adams in Marion coun- 
ty, Arkansas; she died in Bandera in 1905. To this 
union were born eleven children, as follows: Ike 
Stevens, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Gibson, deceased; Tom 
Stevens of Bandera; George Stevens of Arizona; Mrs. 
Texanna Jones, deceased; L. N. Stevens, lives near 
Bandera Pass; Mrs. Lizzie Jones of Junction, Texas; 
Mrs. Lula Brown of Seligman, Arizona; Henry Stevens, 
now sheriff of Bandera county; Mrs. Magdalene Kissee 
of Flagstaff, Arizona; Mrs. Mittie Jones of Helotes, 
Texas. 

Mr. Stevens came to Bandera countj^ in 1866, and 
during his long residence here he was a most useful 
citizen. When he was 90 years old he published a 
small book recounting his experiences in Tennessee, 
Arkansas and Texas, and setting forth in an appendix 
thereto his religious views. From this book the fol- 
lowing paragraph is taken, in which mention is made 
of Pat Saner, who became one of the pioneers of Ban- 
dera county: 

"My brother decided to stay on the farm with 
father, so I decided to accompany my wife's people 
from Arkansas to Texas. It was in 1849 we got our 
wagons and teams ready to start, and it took us two 
months to reach the little town of San Marcos, sit- 
uated at the head of one of the most beautiful streams 
in the state. Here I decided to stop. My father-in- 
law went on to San Antonio, which was then nothing 



Pioneer History of Bandera Coionty 169 

more than a small village. On reaching San Marcos 
I rented a piece of land and began to make prepara- 
tions to make a crop. I soon got acquainted with a 
man bj^ the name of Pat Saner, who was a jolly, good 
hearted fellow, and a great hand to hunt. There were 
a great many wild cattle in the cedar brakes on the 
head of a little but very dangerous stream called Pur- 
gatorj^ which flows into the San Marcos river. Deer 
and turkey were very plentiful then. This man Saner, 
his brother Tom and myself hunted a great deal the 
year I was there. On one occasion we went out for a 
hunt in the mountains and soon after dark we un- 
saddled our horses, w,hen all at once we began to hear 
strange noises, which seemed to come closer. J was 
rather like the old darkey, not particularly^" scared but 
I felt a little loose. We had heard the Indians would 
sometimes make a noise like a wolf or some other 
animal, and we were satisfied they were around our 
camp, so we saddled our horses and left the campfire 
for them. Soon after we left the camp it began to 
rain, and we were soon drenched. It was so dark we 
could not find our wa3% and we drifted along until I 
rode into a hole four feet deep. I was riding a mule 
and after some scrambling around I got out and got 
my mule out too, but lost my rifle in the mix-up and 
did not find it until the next morning. I wore a pair 
of buckskin breeches and when they got wet they be- 
gan to stretch so I had to cut them off several times. 
AVe finally made our way to a ranch where an old 
bachelor lived and he invited us in to a fine supper. 
I lay down before the fire to sleep and when I awoke 
about sun-up the next morning I found my buckskin 
breeches were so drawn up that I could scarcely walk. 



170 Pioneer History of Bond era County 

We reached home safely, and this was my last hunt 
on Purgatory." 

One of the sons, Henry Stevens, Jr., has been for 
a number of years sheriff of Bandera county, and has 
proved to be of the same material as his illustrious 
father, having as his motto that "anything worth 
doing at all is worth doing well." He was born July 
23, 1869, right here in Bandera, in the stone building 
just across the street from the Bandera New Era 
printing office. He grew to manhood here, obtained 
his education in Bandera public schools, and when he 
was twenty- three years old he was married to Miss 
Agnes Winfield, the ceremony taking place in San An- 
tonio. They have six children living, namely: Claud 
L. Stevens, Mrs. Clara Cox, Mrs. Eulola Davenport, 
Miss Margaret Stevens, Boyd Stevens, and Miss 
Edna Stevens. Miss Margaret Stevens holds a lucra- 
tive position at Rantoui, Illinois, at the present time. 

Mrs. Stevens was born in Lavaca county, but 
came to Bandera with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. 
Joseph Winfield, when she was four years of age. 
Her father was drowned in Julian Creek in 1881, an 
account of which appears in this book. She is a 
sister to Mrs. H. J. Hermes, Sr., of Tarpley, and has 
a brother, Alfred Winfield, and a sister, Mrs. Matilda 
Duncan, living at Palestine, Texas. Another sister, 
Mrs. Eva Johnson, lives at Cameron, Texas, and 
another brother, Ed Winfield, lives at El Campo. 
All are well known in Bandera, having been raised 
here. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 171 

WAS IN PACKSADDLE MOUNTAIN FIGHT. 

On August 5, 1873, a desperate fight took place at 
Packsaddle Mountain in Llano county, in which Eli 
B. Lloyd, now one of Bandera county's honored citi- 
zens took part. There w^ere eighteen Indians in the 
band and were surprised and attacked by eight white 
men, Eli Lloyd, Stephen Moss, and Robert Brown be- 
ing in the crowd. The fight was at very close quar- 
ters, William Moss was desperately wounded with a 
bullet and had to move back. Eli Lloyd received a 
bullet in the arm, which he still carries, but he kept 
on fighting and succeeded in killing the chief of the 
band. Every man in Lloyd's party received wounds, 
more or less severe, except two. Several of the In- 
dians were killed and a number of them were wound- 
ed. They finally gave up the fight and left the moun- 
tain, and the settlers made their way back home with 
their wounded. Mr. Lloyd captured the shield and 
other equipment of the chief he killed and when he 
moved to Bandera county many years ago he brought 
the shield here with him. 

Eli B. Lloyd came to Bandera county in 1879, and 
now lives on his ranch near Tuff, with his good wife. 
This frontier couple has raised a large family, five 
girls and four boys, all of whom are living and mar- 
ried. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd are typical frontier folks, 
their hospitable home has always been open to the 
wayfarer, and they have kept up the frontier customs 
and manners through all these years. 



172 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

SETTLERS OF SABINAL CANYON. 

Gideon Thompson was among the first settlers of 
Sabinal Canyon, locating there in 1852 with his fam- 
ily. Capt. William Ware had preceeded him only a 
very short time. Later John and James Davenport, 
Lee Sanders, Henry Robinson, and Aaron Anglin, lo- 
cated there. When Mr. Thompson first came to the 
canyon he had four children in his family, William, 
Hiram, Robert and Mary Ann. The five families 
all lived at Captain Ware's place for sometime, and it 
became known as Waresville. Charles Durbin after- 
wards put up a sto^-e there. X band of Tonkaway In- 
dians camped near the mouth of the canyon and spent 
some time there on a bear hunting expedition. They 
were a friendly tribe and were somewhat of a protec- 
tion to the settlers. Other people gradually came in, 
among them being John Fenloy, John Brown, Leek 
Kelley, Laban Kelley, Jasper Wish, Silas Webster, 
Sebe Barrymore, William Barrymore, Henry Robin- 
son, Dud Kichardson, Henry Fuller, John Leakey, 
Newman Patterson, "Butch" Dillard, John Bowles, 
Judge McCormick and others. The Indians made 
numerous raids into that section, and in these raids, 
which covered a period of over twenty years, many 
people were killed and hundreds of horses were driven 
out by the redskins. In 1866 they attacked the ranch 
of R. H. Kincheloe in his absence and killed Mrs. 
Bowlin, a neiglibor who was there at the time, and 
wounded Mrs. Kincheloe with arrows and lances in 
more than a dozen places, leaving her for dead. To 
give in detail accounts of all of the tragriilies that oc- 
curred in Sabinal Canyon would require a large book. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 



17^ 



JOSE POLICARPO RODRIGUEZ. 

To attempt to give the full experience and adven- 
tures of Jose Policarpo Rodriguez, one of the early 
pioneer citizens of Bandera county, would require 
more space than this book affords. He was a noted 
guide, scout, hunter, trailer, Indian fighter, and also 
a preacher. Wlien he came to Bandera county in the 
fifties he located oh Privilege Creek on 360 acres of 
land which he purchased from John James for fifty 
cents per acre. He was born at Zaragosa, Mexico, in 
1829, and died at his home on Privilege in 1914, aged 
85 years. Polly's Peak, a noted landmark, was nam- 
ed for him. He built a stone church with his own 
hands in the Privilege community and preached there 
for many years. His children, grandchildren and 
great grandchildren are prosperous and respected 
citizens of that community. Polly Rodriguez had the 
confidence of all men, and he builded wisely and well 
for oncoming generations. 






^tt--^ 



The Medina Dam 



•tr"^^^ 




17 ii. Pioneer History of Bandera County 

DROWNING OF JOSEPH WINFIELD. 

I 1881 Joseph Winfield, a highly respected citizen 
of Bandera, was drowned in Julian Creek, about two 
miles east of Bandera. Mr. Winfield and Will Hamil- 
ton were engaged in hauling hay, using four-horse 
teams. The day before he met his death, Mr. Win- 
field and young Hamilton had crossed Julian Creek 
when it was dry, going out to get the loads of hay. 
During the night it came a heavy rain, and when 
they were returning to town with their loads tney 
found the creek running, but it did not seem to be 
very deep. Hamilton drove into it, and made it 
across all right, but when Winfield's team reached the 
main current they became unruly. He was riding 
his wheel horse and dismounted in mid-stream for 
some reason or other, and it is believed that one of 
the horses either kicked or pawed him on the head. 
Hamilton went back to assist him, and noticed be 
was acting rather strange. He brought him to the 
bank and told him to remain there, and went in after 
the team. When he got them started out he noticed 
Winfield in the water again, drowning. He succeeded 
in getting him out again, but he died in a very short 
while. 

The Medina river was on a big rise at the time, 
and was up for several days, so that Mr. Winfield's 
body was buried near where he was drowned. Four 
years later it was removed to the Catholic cemetery 
in Bandera. 

A young man named Halamuda helped to dig the 
grave in which to bury Mr. Winfield on Friday. The 
following Sunday after the burial, Halamuda attempt- 



Pioneer History of Bandercv County 17 o 

ed to cross the Medina river at the Castroville Cross- 
ing, now known as the Slab Crossing, and was drown- 
ed before he could be rescued. His body was found 
several weeks later several miles down the river. 



THOMAS CLICK KILLED BY INDIANS. 

In the fall of 1866 Thomas Click was killed by 
Indians near the crossing on the Medina river, three 
miles above Bandera. He had started from Bandera 
one night to pay a visit to a man named Huffman 
who lived six miles west of town and was preparing 
to move away, and it was at the fork of the road 
where the Indians came upon him. He was unarmed 
and could put up no defense, so was easily killed by 
lance thrusts. He fell by the roadside, and the Indians 
stripped him and dragged him into the high grass a 
short distance away. The next day his brother, M. 
C. Click, and D. A. Weaver came ahmg, noticed a 
pool of blood by the road and upon investigation 
found a small butcher knife which they recognized as 
belonging to Tom Click, and after further search 
they found the body. Officers in town were notified 
and an inquest was held, after which it was taken to 
Bandera and buried. A party took the trail of the 
Indians, but they were not overtaken. Click was 
riding a mule at the time, which the Indians secured 
and carried away with them. 



17 G Pioneer History of Bandera Cowniy 

REMINISCENCES OF B. F. LANGEORD, SR. 

My father, M. H. Langford, moved from Burnet 
county to Bandera county with his family in the year 

1864, during the Civil 
War. Burnet county 
had so many cattle the 
range was overstocked 
and ver}^ poor. Father 
found plenty of grass 
and water on the Seco. 
so he stopped there for 
about a year, but the 
Indians became so 
troublesome we could 
not keep horses with 
which to tend our stock 
so we moved to Ban- 
dera for protection and 
for school purposes. 
My mother died in 1870, and father moved down to 
the Frio. My younger brother, I. B. Langford, and 
myself remained here and I have lived in the county 
ever since. I believe I have been identified with every 
movement for bettering the condition of the people of 
the county, and have always tried to take a stand on 
the right side of every moral issue. When we came 
here we received mail from Castroville only once a 
week. County scrip was worth only twenty cents on 
the dollar, but it would pay a part of our taxes. 
When I was twenty-one years old I was appointed 
district clerk. Having been too young to take any 
part in the Civil War I could take the oath then re- 




B. F. Lanj/ford, 8r. 



Pioneer History of Sander a Ctoimiij 177 

quired of all officers. Just after the war every man 
twenty-one years old had to register his name, age 
and occupation before he could vote. The board of 
registration was composed of one negro and two 
white men. I held the office of registrar, kept the 
books and registered the names of all who were per- 
mitted to register. We had to have at least one 
negro on every election board, and everybody had to 
come to the county site to register. All officers were 
appointed by E. J. Davis, provisional governor of 
Texas, and they had to take the oath that they had 
never aided or abetted in the rebellion in any way, 
so there were very few who could hold office. The 
government would not allow us to organize ourselves 
into minute companies for protection against the 
Indians, and when Indians came into the country we 
had to send a courier to headquarters at San Antonio 
to notify the commanding officer who would send out 
a squad of soldiers, and these soldiers would march 
leisurely along the road for three or four days and go 
back and report that there were no Indians in the 
country. The Indians would be a hundred miles 
away before the troops reached here. I remember on 
one occasion the soldiers stole one of our neighbor's 
horses and took him to San Antonio. He was a very 
noted horse, strangely marked and could be easily 
identified. We heard of the horse being in San An- 
tonio and I went down there with the owner to get 
him, but our efforts were unsuccessful. Sometime 
afterward, however, he got men there to watch for 
the horse, and they got him. Now, that was the 
kind of protection we got from Uncle Sam during 
reconstruction days. Indians have come right int 



178 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

the town of Bandera and taken horses since I have 
lived here. District court was in session at one time 
when Indians came in and stole horses out of a stable 
within fifty steps of the Duffy Hotel. The Indians 
that gave us the most trouble were the Kickapoos 
and Lipans who lived in Mexico, making their raids 
through this region and escaping across the border. 
Our government would not allow us to follow them 
into Mexico, but I remember one time our boys did 
follow them across and severely punished them. One 
man of the party, named John Pulliam, was killed by 
Mexicans. I knew him quite well. 

I was born and raised on the frontier of Texas 
but never came in contact with savage Indians, al- 
though they have stolen my horses and left me afoot 
several times. What little education I have I receiv- 
ed it right here after I was grown. We had one of 
the best schools in this western country. People 
moved here from other counties to send their chil- 
dren to school. The school house was located on the 
site now occupied by the residence where J. M. 
Hunter lives, and the teacher was Samuel Koenigheim, 
a Canadian by birth. He was a true type of the 
pioneer teacher, but the scholars all liked him and 
made rapid advancement under his rigid discipline. 
He did not spare the rod in the least, but could 
wallop the boys, big and little, and laugh while doing 
it, never getting out of humor, often telling us how 
much he hated to punish us, but said it had to be 
done in order to make good citizens of us. We took 
our "lickings" like little men, and we did not quit 
school either. In 1868 Mr. Koenigheim married one 
of his school girls, Miss Fannie Thompson, one of 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 179 

Uncle Gid Thompson's daughters. They raised sev- 
eral children. He died while residing in the Sabinal 
Canyon. 

When I came to Bandera there were no regular re- 
Hgious services held here. An occasional sermon was 
preached by some traveling minister. Our first regu- 
lar preacher was Andrew Jackson Potter. My wife 
and I and a great many others were converted under 
Brother Potter's preaching in 1867. We have had a 
pastor for the Methodist church in Bandera ever since 
that time, some of tliem being Kingsbury, Chambers, 
Thornsbury, J. L. Harper, Buck Harris, A. (t. Nolan, 
F. H. C. Elliot, H. C. Godwin, J. D. Worrell, and a 
liost of others. 

We used to have longer terms of district court 
when we had two saloons and only about .*^0() voters 
than we have now with 1500 voters and prohibition. 
All of the murder cases we had were chargeable to 
the saloons. There has been wonderful improvement 
in moral conditions here. We hardly need a jail 
here now, and we have not had a jailer for several 
years. I built the first jail we ever had, a small two- 
story stone building. 

The first wedding I ever attended here was thai 
of John Adamietz and Miss Constantina Pyka, which 
took place on May 10, 1866. Those Polish weddings 
were great events. W^e always had plenty to eat and 
plenty to drink, too, and we kept up the fun all night 
and went home with the girls in the morning. The 
next wedding I remember was J. J. Bandy and Miss 
Aliff Mj'rick in 1866, and the next was that of T. A. 
Laxson and Miss Rufany Chipman the same j^ear. 
There were several others about that time, but I re- 



180 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 



member particularly when Andrew Mansfield and J. 
P. Heinen were to get married at the same time, but 
something turned up that changed their plans, 
Andrew Mansfield and Miss Laura Thalmahn were 
married October 29th, 1868, and J. P. Heinen and 
Miss Ida Schlador were married a few days, earlier, if 
I remember correctly. When I was married in 1869, 
Sheriff T. C. Rine performed the ceremony, as there 
was no minister here and we wanted to get married. 
At that time the law gave the sheriff authority to 
perform marriage ceremonies. My wife was Miss 
Arantha Chipman, and to us were born eight children, 
three girls and five boys: Mrs. Ella Cox of Bandera, 
Mrs. Leah Matthews of Beaumont, E. P. Langford of 
Bandera, G. H. Langford of Beaumont, A. P. Lang- 
ford of San Antonio, M. H. Langford of San Antonio, 
Mrs. Ruby Barnett of Del Rio, and John F. Lang- 
ford of Bandera. I was born in Coryell county, Texas, 
in 1847, and was about seventeen years old when I 
came to Bandera county, I am now engaged in the 
hardware, furniture and undertaking business in the 
town of Bandera. 




Ranch 01 B. F. F. Laiigtoru, bi., on i-rnneg-e Creek. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 181 

After my mother's death my father married Mrs. 
Cryer, widow of a man who was killed by Indians 
near Bandera. She died some twenty years ago. 
There were eight children in our family, as follows: 
J. D. Langford, deceased; I. B. (Berry) Langford, de- 
ceased; Ti. W. Langford, lives near El Paso; J. M. 
Langford, is a real estate broker in El Paso; M. M. 
Langford, my half-brother, is engaged in the tele- 
phone business at Reagan Wells; Mrs. Martha Fen- 
ley, died at Uvalde in May, 1922; Mrs. Eliza J. Har- 
per, lives in El Paso: Mrs. Mary Miller, a half-sister, 
lives at El Paso. 

My brother, I. B. Langford, or Berry as we all 
called him, married Miss Lizzie Bird, who still sur- 
vives and lives in Bandera. They had five children 
Will, Clarence, Allie, Frank and I. B., Jr. Will Lang- 
ford became a physician and lives in Sutton county. 
Frank and Allie are engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness in Bandera. For many years he operated a car- 
penter shop here, and lived in the house now owned 
by Phillip Mazurek. He built the Langford House, 
where Tom Gray now lives, and ran a hotel there for 
a long time. 



LEE RISINGER. 

Lee Risinger was born at Belmont, Gonzales coun- 
ty in 1864, and came to Bandera in 1877, attending 
school here until he was seventeen years old, then 
went to work as a cowboy. In 1895 he accepted a 
position in the store of H. H. Carmichael & Co., and 
when that firm failed he opened a store of his own, 



182 



Pioneer History of Bandera Count]/ 



later buying out the general merchandise business of 
R. W. Gray & Son. He successfully followed mer- 
chandising until 1915, when his establishment was 
destroyed by fire, since which time he has been en- 
gaged in the automobile business, and is at present 
the local representative of the Ford company. Every- 
body knows Lee Risinger and everybody likes him. 
Quiet, peaceable, home-loving and progressive, he is 
of that kind of citizenship that all live communities 
need most. Tn 1884 Mr. Risinger was married to 
Miss Georgiana Hay, daughter of Judge George Haj^ 
of Bandera. They have six children living, four boys 
and two girls, Mrs. Lola Stevens, Royce Risinger, 
Fred Risinger, Mrs. Cecil Knibbe, Clinton Risinger 
and Hubert Risinger. 




The Oia Gersaorif Blacksmith Shop. 



J 



Pioneer History of Bajulern Coitnty 188 

BANDERA'S FIRST BASEBALL CLUB 

Along in 1891 Bandera's first baseball club sprang 
into existence. It was sponsored by Judge Charles 
Montague, and enthusiastically boosted by Judge 
Hugh Duffy. The nine was duly organized and equip- 
ped with bats and mitts and a catcher's mask, and 
Mrs. Montague made the uniforms for the whole club. 
After a time and much practice the team tossed a 
challenge to any baseball club for a game on tl.e Ban- 
dera diamond. Kerrville accepted the challenge, and 
came over and pulled oft' the first baseball game ever 
played in Bandera, waltzing off with all the honors. 
The visiting team piled up a score of 94, while Ban- 
dera failed to cross the home plate. George H. Rice 
was captain of the Bandera team, while the captain 
of the Kerrville team was a health-seeker by the name 
of Barrett. Anton Pyka caught for Bandera, at least 
he occupied the catcher's box, and saw every ball de- 
livered by the Bandera pitcher knocked into the old 
bull pen. Anton was also the only Bandera player 
to connect the bat with the ball. He reached third 
base. 

The team was composed of the following: 

George H. Rice, first base. 

John Davenport, pitcher. 

Anton Pyka, catcher. 

Loss Carmichael, short stop. 

John Gersdorff, center field. 

Frank Gersdortt', left field . 

John Zimmerman, right field. 

John Montague, third base. 

Will Hay, second base. ; 



ISJf Pioneer History of Bandera Count] f 

A TRAGEDY OF THE CIVIL WAR. 

When the country was in the throes of internecine 
strife many tragedies occurred that did not reflect 
credit upon the communities wherein they took place. 
Almost every county in this state had its hangings 
and murders of men who did not espouse the cause 
that was lost. Bandera county did not escape the 
stigma that attached itself to the perpetration of a 
crime that was wholly uncalled for and without reason- 
able excuse. However, it is in measure gratifying to 
know that the perpetrators of the blackest crime that 
stained the pages of Bandera's history were men who 
did not belong in this county, but were citizens of 
other sections, and therefore no blame can placed up- 
on the citizenry of this county which has always been 
of the highest order. 

In 1863 a party of men, who, not caring to take 
sides in the great struggle that was being waged be- 
tween the North and the South, left their homes in 
Williamson county, Texas, and started to Mexico. 
They were well provided with good mounts, heavily 
armed, possessed several hundred dollars in cash, and 
were fully equipped for the long journey to the neutral 
republic on the other side of the Rio Grande. This 
party of eight men and a boy passed through Bandera, 
and stopped here for a day or so, resting their horses 
and buying such supplies as they needed on the trip. 
They did not make any secret of their destination or 
the cause of their going, but openly stated that they 
were on their way to Mexico, to avoid conscription. 

At the time there was stationed at Camp Verde, 
twelve miles north of Bandera, a force of cavalry. 



Pioneer Historif of Bandera County TSJ^ 

When it became known that this party of men were 
in tne country and going to Mexico, a detachment of 
twenty-five men under command of a Major Alexan- 
der set out to apprehend them. When the detach- 
ment reached Bandera the men had gone, but they 
were overtaken on Squirrell Creek, below Hondo, and 
were promised a fair and impartial trial by court 
martial if they would surrender. They gave up their 
arms and in company with the soldiers started back, 
little dreaming that they would never see another sun 
rise. When the party reached the Julian, a few miles 
east of Bandera late in the afternoon thej?^ went into 
camp for the night. After supper some of the men 
suggested that they hang the prisoners right there. 
Others opposed such outrageous action, but those op- 
posing were overruled, and some of them left the 
camp, refusing to have anything to do with the crime, 
or even witnessing it. The officer in command seem- 
ed to give his consent and the unfortunate prisoners 
were hanged, one at a time, to a live oak tree. A 
hair rope was used, and as each man was strangled to 
death, he was cut down, the noose left on his neck, 
and another one pulled up to slowly strangle. One 
of the prisoners requested that he be shot, and his 
request was granted. He was shot through with a 
full charge, the ramrod being left in the gun and 
penetrated through his bod3^ 

Joseph Poor, who lived over on Middle Verde, was 
camped near the scene of the murder that night, but 
did not hear tlie disturbance. Next morning he went 
out to look for his horses that had strayed away from 
his camp, and he came upon the bodies of the men. 
Seeing the ramrod protruding from the body of one 



1S6 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

of them he mistook it for an arrow, and thought they 
had been slain by Indians. He hastened to Bandera 
and gave the alarm, and a party comp(»sed of O. B. 
Miles, George Hay, John Pyka, Robert Ballentyne, 
Amasa Clark and others hastened to tne scene of the 
murder, and found the bodies of the eight men lying 
scattered about, just as they had been left. An in- 
quest was held and a verdict rendered, attaching 
blame on the major and his party. A shallow grave 
was dug, and the eight bodies, wrapped in blankets, 
were placed into it and covered with dirt and stones. 

The boy who was with this party of Williamson 
county men, was taken away by the murderers, and 
was never heard of again. What his fate was no one 
knows. 

After the war ended, and courts were again func- 
tioning, the men responsible for this crime were in- 
dicted by the grand jury in this county, but all had 
disappeared. They wer«" never brought to trial, al- 
though the case was continued from term to term. 
The court records of Bandera county will reveal the 
names of the men who stood charged with the crime 
of murdering helpless prisoners. 

In after years a monument was erected over the 
grave of the murdered men, and it stands there today 
in an out of the way place in Frank Pjdva's pasture. 
Inscribed on the tombstone are the names of the men 
as follows: "C. J. Sawyer, W. M. Sawyer, George 
Thayer, William Shumake, Jack W hitmire, Jake Kyle, 
John Smart, Mr. VanWinkle. Died July 25, 1863." 
In its seclusion the grave is never disturbed, while in 
the springtime wild flowers grow and bloom over the 
mound, songbirds make melody in the nearby trees 



Pioneer History of Bandera Coitnty 187 

and the soft breezes that blow through the branches 
chant a requiem to the departed souls. 



THE BANDERA ENTERPRISE 

In 1862 William Hudspeth and a Methodist minis- 
ter named Chambers established the Bandera Enter- 
prise, which was published for more than thirty-five 
years. The printing office was first located upstairs 
in the building now occupied by the Bandera post- 
office, and after it was purchased by Charles Fee it 
was moved to a building alongside of the property 
where the Risinger building now stands. Mr. Fee 
died in 1896, and T. A. Buckner leased the paper, 
editing and publishing it for a number of years. He 
was succeeded by other editors from time to time un- 
til 1916, when the plant, which still belonged to the 
Fee heirs, was destro^'ed by fire. The Enterprise was 
never re-established after the plant was burned. Some- 
time later J. F. Rocke, an itinerant newspaper man, 
came along and started the Bandera New Era, later 
disposing of it to Dr. J. M. Rappold, who published 
it for awhile, then sold the business to T. A. Buckner, 
who in turn sold the New Era and its equipment to 
the present owner, J. M. Hunter. 

The Bandera Enterprise was one of the old land- 
marks of this town. For years it chronicled the com- 
ings and goings, the marriages and deaths, the trad- 
ing and trafficking, the joys and sorrows of l^andera 
people. It was always a welcome visitor in the homes 
of the people of this county. 



188 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

SKETCH BY W. F. SURBER. 

My father, Adam Surber, was born in Virginia in 
1804, and when he was about 18 years old he emigra- 
ted to Kentucky with his parents where they bought 
land in Pulaski county at fifty cents per acre. My 
grandfather's name was Jacob Surber, and he lived 
many years after moving to Kentucky. There were 
eight children in our famih% but I am the only one 
now living. I was born Januarj^ 13. 1835, and am 
therefore 87 years old. My wife and I have raised 11 
children, all now married except one girl and she is 
living with us. We have 34 grandchildren and 26 
great grandchildren. 

I left Kentucky January 10, 1870, and landed at 
Center Point, Texas, one month later. This was in 
Indian times, and raids frequently occurred. One 
time while I was away from home, up on the Verde 
threshing, my wife had a severe toothache and got up 
during the night to get fresh air, and when she opened 
the door someone jumped over the fence and ran 
away. The next morning there were two horses about 
300 yards from the house that had been killed by the 
Indians. Not long after that the redskins came in 
again and stole two fine Kentucky horses from my 
cousin, Munroe Surber, near Comfort. The last and 
most brutal raid occurred in 1876. A family named 
Terry lived about a mile and a half south of Center 
Point. When the Indians came in on this raid they 
found Mr. Terry and his four little children some dis- 
tance from the house and killed him and two of the 
children, badly wounded a third child and carried a 
little girl, nine years old, off with them. A negro boy 



Pioneer History of Bandera County l89 

named Jack Hardy had been captured in this raid 
and witnessed the killing of Terry and his children. 
At the time of the attack Terry was sitting down on 
the ground riving boards from cypress blocks and his 
children were playing about. As he had his head 
down he did not see the Indians approach, and was 
unaware of their presence until one of them shot him 
with a rifle. He sprang to his feet, ran a short dis- 
tance and fell and was then lanced to death by the 
Indians. Mrs. Terry, at the house, heard the com- 
motion and seeing the danger, made her escape, ran 
to the settlement and gave the alarm. A party of 
men took the trail of the Indians and followed it to 
the Frio where they ran onto the savages and recap- 
tured the little girl. The negro boy got away from 
the Indians and was picked up by the pursuing party. 
I helped to wash and prepare the body of Terry for 
burial the next day. He was horribly butchered. 
Besides being shot he had been pierced through the 
bodv with lances and was bloody from head to foot. 



WAS BORN IN SLAVERY. 

Andrew Jackson, colored, came to Bandera Octo- 
ber 16, 1870, acquired a body land here and is today 
living on it. He was born in slavery in Tennessee 
April 1, 1847, and w^as owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Dun- 
can. In 1867 he enlisted in the United States Army 
nnd served three years at frontier posts in Texas. He 
received his discharge and came to Bandera, and dur- 
ing the fifty-two years he has lived here he has been 
a peaceable, and law-abiding citizen. 



190 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 
JOHN H. ROSS 



John H. Ross was born at Bandera March 4, 1861. 
His father, Judge Edward Merritt Ross, came to Texas 
from New York in the 
early fifties. He was 
a school teacher and 
taught a school in San 
Antonio, later going to 
Castroville to teach. 
He was stationed at 
Camp Verde while 
in the United States 
army, and while there 
sustained a broken leg. 
and was sent to San 
Antonio for treatment. 
He returned to New 
York, where he was 
married to Miss Kath- 
erine Delaney, and 
then came back to 
Texas and located at ^*^'"" ^- ^^^^ 

Bandera, on the place now owned by E. Buck- 
John H. Ross, while a boy, was sent to New York 
and spent two j^ears there. He returned to Bandera 
and grew to manhood here. On September 2, 1890, 
he was married to Miss Caroline Guiske. and to them 
were born eleven children, all of whom are living. 
They are Mrs. Kate Moore, Mrs. Wilhelmina Fergu- 
son, Charles W. Ross, John P. Ross, all living at 
Yoakum; Frank Ross, of Medina Lake; Eddie Ross, 
with the U. S. Marines in the Dominican Republic; 




Pioneer Mistory of U and era County 191 

Freddie, Carolyn, Elenora, Inez and Clyde Ross of 
Bandera. Mrs. Ross died August 5th, 1914, since 
which time Mr. Ross has been keeping house with the 
aid of his unmarried daughters at the Ross Ranch be- 
low Bandera. He is a good citizen, has the esteem 
of his fellowmen, and can be counted upon to use his 
means for the upbuilding of the country. 



CONGRESSMAN CLAUD B. HUDSPETH 

Bandera count}^ people look with pride upon the 
achievements of Claud Hudspeth, son of Captain 
Street Hudspeth, who formerly lived at Medina. 
Left an orphan at an early age the subject of this 
sketch entered the old Bandera Enterprise office 
and learned to set type. He later went to Brady and 
there obtained an old Washington hand press and a 
few pounds of old type which he moved to Ozonaand 
started the Ozona Courier, in 1892, later changing the 
name of his paper to the Ozona Kicker, which was 
published until 1911. When he embarked in the news- 
paper business he was only about seventeen years old, 
but he had grit and pluck and soon began to climb 
upward. In the course of time he was elected to the 
legislature for several terms, then became state sena- 
tor from the same district. Later he moved to El 
Paso and in 1918 was elected to Congress, which high 
position he now holds. 



192 



Pioneer History of Bmidera County 
BEN BATTO. 



Ben Batto was born in Germany in 1841, and came 
to America with his parents when he was only two 
years old. The family came with the Castro Colon- 
ists and were among 
the first settlers at 
Castroville, later mov- 
ing to D'Hanis. The 
name Batot was pro- 
nounced Batto, some 
of the family spelling 
it that way. Mr. Batto 
was married to Miss 
Rosa Nother of San 
Antonio, and to them 
were born four chil- 
dren, Will Batto, Mrs. 
Isabella Adamietz, Ed 
Batto, of Bandera, and 
Mrs. Rosa Mandry of 
San Antonio. With 
his good wife Mr. Batto 
lives on the place he 
settled thirty-six years ago, two miles west of Ban- 
dera. He has an interesting life history, a part of 
which is revealed in the following sketch: 

"I was about 18 years old when T joined a com- 
pany of rangers, during the Civil War. Captain Rob- 
ertson and Lieutenant Malone were the first leaders, 
and Chris. Kelley of Sabinal was the Indian trailer. 
While we were in camp at Moss Hollow, about six 
miles below D'Hanis, we received a report that the 




Ben Batto 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 193 

Indians had killed Big Foot Wallace. It was about 
twenty miles to where Wallace lived, but we iuiniedi- 
ately set out, about ten of us, and arrived at his 
place about dark. His lonely little cabin was deserted, 
no one there, and all we found in the way of j)r()vi- 
sions there was a small piece of bacon and ;i little 
corn meal in a sack. We prepared to camp, and in 
about an hour Big Foot Wallace came strolling in 
with his gun over his shoulder, his two pistols in his 
belt, his Mexican blanket on his arm, and leading 
his horse. When we told him of the report that had 
reacned us he laughed heartily and told us that that 
morning he had seen a party of Indians coming, and 
had employed a ruse to make them believe that a 
bunch of white men were near. lie appeared in plain 
view of the redskins and waving his big ]Mexican hat, 
yelled loudly to "Come on," and dashed toward the 
Indians, who scattered and ran off, leaving all of 
their horses. Wallace told us that he seldom slept in 
his cabin, but would take his blanket, go out into the 
brush some distance away and spend the night. 
Often when he came in next morning he would find 
moccasin tracks around the cabin. The next morn- 
ing Wallace drove up a fat yearling and shot it down, 
then told us to help ourselves to the meat, and we 
did. 

"We afterwards went to Petro Pinto, on the other 
side of Fort Clark, and were kept busy scouting, 
going out almost every day. We .found a big Indian 
trail and prepared to follow it. Chris. Kelley, myself, 
old man Reiley, with several others, followed the 
trail to the other side of Devil's River, to a point 
called the Painted Cave, then proceeding' on to about 



19 J(. Pioneer Itistory of Bandera County 

five miles further a short halt was made for dinner. 
Here we filled our canteens and after eating we again 
took up the pursuit, the signs on the trail indicating 
that the Indians were not very far ahead. We 
traveled until dark. The water supply had been ex- 
hausted and we made a dry camp. Early next morn- 
ing our thirst was extreme, but we resumed the chase 
hoping to soon find water. Scouts were put out to 
search for water as we went on. After traveling all 
day a report came in late that evening that water had 
been found, and all made a rush for it, but when we 
got there we found we had to jump six or eight feet 
over rocks to get to it. Old Man Reiley told me to 
hold the horses and he would get me some water, but 
when he brought it he would let me have only a 
swallow or two at a time for fear that it would make 
me sick. We had to make a detour of about a mile 
to get our horses to the water. The men drank so 
much water that it made nearly all of them sick, and 
that night only three were able to stand guard, Mr. 
Reiley, Mr. Kelly and myself. The next day we 
again took the trail and struck the Pecos about sun- 
down, and all struck for water, ])ut it was so red and 
ijiuddy looking we could hardly drink it. Mr. Reiley 
lohl lis he \vr>nl(l show us how lo clear the walcr, so 
laklug a prickly pear he split it open and put a little 
of the slime in a vessel of water and it immediately 
cleared. We went on to the Rio Grande and found 
another big camp that had been abandoned only two 
or three days before. They had crossed into Mexico 
and we could not follow as we had no orders lo go 
into Mexico. We then returned to Pietro Pinto 
an<i tiftlT spending several mouLliLi' in camp we wTre 



Pioneer msiory of Bandera County 195 

permitted to go home subject to call, but the company 
soon disbanded. T then began working at the stone- 
mason's trade, building houses at several places. T 
went to Fredericksburg and built two-story houses 
for Mr. Doel)ler and others, and Mr. Doeblcr liired 
me to go to Fort Concho to build a sutler's store for 
Jim Trainer. About this time the government work 
started there and I had employment for about fifteen 
months. Then I decided to go to Fort Griffin, and 
in company with George Fulbright we started for that 
post. While nooning at Dead Man's valley we heard 
a noise and I went up on the bank of the creek to 
ascertain what it was when a bunch of Indians ap- 
peared and tried to run over me on their horses, but 
I pointed my pistol at them when they came too close 
and ran back to my partner. We were greatly out- 
numbered and it looked as if they would sure get us. 
We ran down the creek a short distance and found a 
dry hole in which we took refuge and prepared to 
make our last stand. The Indians stayed around us 
until dark, but did not venture near enough to get 
shot. About nine o'clock that night they tried to 
scare us by yelling and shooting in our direction. 
One bullet fell right beside me and filled my eyes full 
of sand. Finally one of the Indians called out in 
Spanish, 'Come out, we will not hurt yon' but we 
did not go out, for we felt pretty safe where we were. 
The Indians then left, and about two o'clock that 
night we left our place of refuge and went to where we 
had left our camp and horses, but the Indians had 
taken everything except two tin cans. We hastened 
to Mountain Pass where some soldiers were guarding 
the stage stand and reported the presence of the In- 



196 Pioneer Mi story of Bandera County 

dians but the soldiers were too busy guarding the 
stage mules to take the trail. I secured a night job 
in a barroom at Ft. Griffin with a man named Dash. 
The saloon was usually crowded with soldiers and 
friendly Indians, the soldiers playing cards, and the 
Indians loitering around to beg for whiskey, but I was 
forbidden to give them any liquor. I bought a little 
pony from a Tonkaway Indian, and kept it staked 
not far away. One night I suspected that some of 
these friendly Indians intended stealing my pony, so 
I went out and sat down by a little bush near the 
horse and began watching. Pretty soon two Indians 
came riding up to the horse and tried to loosen the 
stake rope. I yelled at them and asked in Spanish 
what they wanted to <lo with my horse. They im- 
mediately ran off, leaving an old poor horse there 
with mine. It hat) a piece of l)utt'alo hide on its back. 
I went up to the horse and began to examine him, 
when suddenly an arrow sped in my direction and 
found lodgement in the old horse's neck. I fired my 
pislo! in the direct ion Trom whence \\w, arrow came, 
llicii dropped lo the gr(jiiiid and lay lliere for a})Out 
Iwenly niinulcs, bul as llic Indians did not. re-a|)f)ear 
I l(»ok bolli horses and wen I l»ack lo I he barroom. I 
thought these Indians were Tonkaways, who were 
friendly and hung about the fort, but the next morn- 
ing the Tonkaways came in and said the Comanches 
had stolen all of their horses that night. I had a 
very lucky escape, after all. 

"I went to Fort Belknap on the Brazos, and from 
there went with a crew of men to Buffalo Springs 
where it was intended to build a fort. After being 
here about a v.eek our water got so low the mechanics 



I 



Flonrrr TTiainvii of Banrlrra Coniify 



197 



had to dig for water. Ten of the wagons were order- 
ed down on Brushy, about 25 miles from Jkilfalo 
Springs, and a day or two later the report came in 
that the In*dians had killed the teamsters and taken 
all the mules. After working here several months, 
putting up several buildings, the place was finally 
condemned and we went to Jacksboro to build Fort 
Richardson. I spent fifteen months there, and then 
returned to San Antonio, later going to D'llanis 
where I secured the contract for building VA. Domi- 
nica's church, a two-story store house for John Phone, 
and other buildings. 

"Yes, I have hunted buffalo and enjoyed the 
sport. On one occasion a man named Pruesser and 
mj^self, accompanied by a negro servant, left Fort 
Concho and went on a buffalo hunt up on the North 




Scene in Sabinal Canyon 



IDS 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 



Conclio river. IVIr. Pruesser was a great buffalo 
hunter. We killed several of the animals late one 
aftenior^n while the negro had stayed in camp. The 
iici;ro li:i(| ii(>\(>r killed ;i huffnlo, and was very 
anxious to try his hand, so we took him out to where 
we had shot down an old l)ull, and told him to kill 
the animal. He aimed his gun and pulled the trigger, 
and then ran up to see if he had made a fatal shot. 
As he approached the old bull suddenly got up and 
made for the negro, who seeing that flight was im- 
mediately necessarjs at once lit out for a small tree 
not far away, with trie bull bearing down upon him. 
He reached the tree and swung himself out of 
reach of the infuriated beast, and right there he stay- 
ed until the bull exhausted his energy and fell over 
dead. The negro did not want to hunt buffalo again. 




The Old McNeill Store at Medina, Now Owned by Wm. Hatfield. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 190 

JUDGE R. H. BURNEY. 

Hon. R. H. Burney, who has for many years been 
District Judge of the Bandera district, composed of 
Bandera, Kerr, Medina, Zavalla. Real, Edwards and 
Kendall counties, is a pioneer of this section. He 
was born October 22, 1854, in McNary county, Ten- 
nessee, and came to Texas with his pjirents when he 
was two years old, His father, Judge H. M. Burney 
settled in Kerr county and was one of the prominent 
men of this section during his life time. Judge 
Burney's mother is still living and has reached an ad- 
vanced age. 

The subject of this sketch had but meagre oppor- 
tunities to secure an education as he was growing up, 
but being ambitious he made the best of such oppor- 
tunities that came his way, and by dint of hard 
study and self-denial he entered the Southwestern 
University at Georgetown, Texas, in 1875 and gradu- 
ated in 1879 from that institution with the degree of 
bachelor of arts, and also in the same year, after a 
course of lectures, was made a bachelor of laws in the 
law department of Vanderbilt University at Nashville, 
Tennessee. 

Judge Burney served as a ranger under Capt. Neil 
Caldwell, and rendered excellent service in this ca- 
pacity. He was State Senator from this district for a 
number of terms, the district at the time being com- 
posed of sixteen counties. On the bench Judge Bur- 
ney is at his best. His wide experience, his thorough 
knowledge of law, his fair and impartial decisions, and 
his kindly bearing stamps him as one of the best jurists 
that has ever occupied the bench in this district. 



^00 Fioneer History of Ihui-dera Count i/ 

TRIBUTE TO COLONEL DUFFY. 



' ' B//f oh! fo) the touch of the vanisJied hand, 
.hilt the sound of the voice that is still. ' ' 

—fohn RoylfCy Reilly. 

To me Bandera has not been the "sam«^ old place" 
the past two summers. 
The glorious sunshine, 
the soothing breeze, 
the singing river and 
the haunting melody 
of the mocking bird 
still greet me but there 
is no cheery "Come 
in, Fm so glad to «ee 
you again." For some- 
where ad own the long, 
long trail far from old 
Bandera, the kindly 
Colonel Duffy is greet- 
ing old friends who 
preceded him to the 
home of his Father. 
And, oh! how I miss 
the gentle soul! To 
know him was a beni- 
son: to listen to his 
philosophy of life, a 
reward. His Southern 
courtesy, lofty ideals 

and untainted purity of mind were an inspiration tq 
all who came in contact with him Never did I hear 
a slighting remark fall from his lips about any human 




Col. HiiKh Duffv 



PUmN'v Histovij of Bandera Coanty ?i01 

being. He saw but the good in all. Troubles of his 
own he undoubtedly had, yet you never heard them. 
Unthinking, I unburdened on him a tale of woe, and 
lo! before the Colonel's cheery words of consolation 
the clouds of care rolled away and the sun was shin- 
ing, the flowers blooming and my whole being was in 
tune with Nature. Had he an enemy, I have not 
heard about it. Scores who knew^ him in a small com- 
munity for decades assured me that they never heard 
anyone allude to Mr. Duffy in other than terms of 
sincere appreciation. 

One day I asked the Colonel to briefly state some 
simple creed which he would consider a helpful guide 
for the mortal with high ideals. The simple answer 
came, ''Remember the (lolden Rule. You know the 
Good Book says 'To err is human,' Uphft the fallen." 
What a world of advice in |)lain. understandable lan- 
guage! No wonder Mr. Duffy was every man's 
friend. 

He has passed on, but that stream of consciousness 
which we call his soul still lives on — in the good that 
he did, in the example of kindness and cheer that 
clung around him as a halo, in the fact that the com- 
ing generations will be told of him as a model, a plain 
pioneer of Bandera wlio lived here some fifty years 
and of whom they may be justly proud. K. 



202 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

CHRISTOPHER FAGAN. 

WRITTEN BY RTCHAUU J. FAGAN. RAHWAY, NEW JERSEY 

My uncle, Christopher Fagan, was one of the first 
permanent settlers near the head of the Medina, at 
the place now called Lima. He left Rah way, N. J., 
when he was about grown, and went to Ottawa, 111., 
to visit his sister but soon enlisted for service against 
the Indians in the west. For twelve years no tidings 
came from him, but one day my father received a 
letter from him saying that he had been an In- 
dian fighter, had been in a great manj^ battles with 
Indians, and later had been through the Civil War 
and had not received a wound of any kind. lie stated 
that he had located at Medina, in Bandera county, 
Texas, and spoke highly of the country, the climate 
and the people. In 1865 he took up some cypress 
land along the Medina river and erected a saw mill to 
make shingles. These shingles were conveyed to San 
Antonio in wagons drawn by six yoke of oxen. Sev- 
eral men are still living in Bandera county who were 
employed by him at the mill. I can readily recall the 
names of Jim Walker and John Pyka. The saw mill 
prospered until a great storm and flood washed it and 
the dam away, and he escaped only by swimming to 
higher ground. He did not rebuild the mill but turn- 
ed his attention to stock-raising and followed that 
business successfully until his health began to fail. 
At the time of his death he had large herds of cattle 
scattered over the country. 

Christopher Fagan was a man of very few words 
and never talked about himself, so perhaps we lost 
some interesting and thrilling events in his life's his- 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 203 

tory. In his later years he wrote very interesting 
letters to his brother (my father) in New Jersey, and 
these letters showed how much he was attached to 
Texas and her people. He loved the picturesque Me- 
dina river and the majestic hills. He often advised 
my father to come and live there. Some his land is 
now owned by T. H. Phillips and some of it is owned 
by J. C. Hillman. Uncle Christopher never married. 
He died in 1882, and was buried in Bandera cemetery 
by his friends. 



DEATH OF J. T. STEVENS. 

Since the sketch of J. T. (Uncle Jack) Stevens was 
written and printed in preceding pages of this book, 
death has laid its icy fingers upon his brow and his 
great soul winged its flight to the realms above on 
Friday, June 30, 1922. Thus another of the old pio- 
neers has crossed the borderline to rest beneath the 
shade of the trees on the other side. He was a true 
type of the frontiersman, noble, generous, upright, 
and leaves to his descendants the record of a life well 
spent and full of deeds worthy of emulation. 

Today his mortal remains repose in the Medina 
cemetery. A grass-covered mound, bedecked with 
flowers, and marked with an appropriate monument, 
will proclaim that *'llere sleeps a pioneer," and the 
passing generations will not forget that he helped to 
blaze the paths through the wilderness for the tender 
feet of civilization and made this land a safe place in 
which to live. 



^04 Pioneer Historij of Band era Cojinfij 

THE THALMANN FAMILY. 

Among the earliest settlers of Bandera was Lei- 
breicht Thalmann. who came here before the Polish 
colony located at Bandera. With his wife and two 
children he came from Germany to America in 1852, 
stopped in Goliad county, and while they tarried 
there another child was born to them. They later 
went to Castroville and then came to Bandera, in 
1854. Mrs. Thalmann died in 1865, and Mr. Thai- 
man died during the late '70s. When he came to 
Bandera he })uilt his home on the site where the Dav- 
enport store property is located, and later he secured 
a ranch on Mason and Bandera Creeks. Seven chil- 
dren were born to this couple, but the onl}^ one now 
living is Orlando Thallman, who ranches on Middle 
Verde Creek, southeast of Bandera. Of these seven 
children four grew to manhood and womanhood here, 
Laura, Herman, Leibright and Orlando. Laura mar- 
ried Andrew Mansfield and became the mother of the 
Mansfield boys, Andy, Ed, John and Padd}^ substan- 
tial citizens of this county; Herman Thalmann mar- 
ried Miss Viola Porter of Missouri, and to them were 
born two children, Marcus Thalmann and Mrs. Laura 
McCurdy, the latter died this year, 1922. Mrs. Her- 
man Thalmann died in 1881, and Mr. Thalmann was 
next married to Miss Louise Maudsley, and to them 
were born thirteen children, eight of whom are living: 
Mrs. Louise Jones of Mooresville, Herbert Thalmann 
of Hobby. Mrs. Mabel Whisenhunt of Medina, Fred, 
Ellen, Amy, Winifred and Victor Thalmann of Ban- 
dera. Herman Thalmann died in 1914, leaving his 
family in good circumstances. Since his death his 



Pioneer Sistory of Bandera County 205 

• 
widow has successfully managed the large ranch hold- 
ings, ably assisted by her sons. 

Leibright Thalmann left Bandera in 1875, and has 
never been heard from. His whereabouts are un- 
known. 

Orlando Thallman, with whom this sketch will now 
deal, was the youngest son. He was born in 1855. the 
midwife presiding on that auspicious occasion being 
Mrs. Samuel Adamietz, who often stated that it was 
her first case after coming from Poland, and that he 
was probabl}'' the first American child born in Ban- 
dera. He grew up here, attended school, knew all 
the best swimming holes and fishing places in the 
river, and hunted game in the woods. In 1874 he 
married Miss May E. Cole, and went to liousekceping 
on the ranch where he now lives. Mrs. Tlialmandied 
in 1910. Seven children of this union are living, Dave 
Thallman of China, Texas; Mrs. Joesphine Eckhart, 
O. F. Thallman, Bandera; Jim Thallman, Oxford, Fla. ; 
Henry Thallman, Beaumont; Aaron Thallman, Hondo; 
Miss Eva Thallman, chief <lietician in the General 
Hos{)ital, Boston, Alass. For reasons of his own, Mr. 
Tliallmaii prefers to spell the family nnnic "Thallman" 
instead of "Thalmann." When a boy he went to 
school to old Professor Koenigheim, and speaks in 
highest praise of that pioneer teacher. Among the 
pupils of that school he recalls the following: Bob 
and Hi Thompson and their sisters of the Sabinal 
Canyon, Mart Binion, Jim and Billie Biggs, Ike Ste- 
vens, Frank, John and Berry Langford, Dave. Rob- 
ert, Arantha and Rena Chipman, George and Amanda 
Hay, Tom and George Stevens, Tom, Brannick, Re- 
becca and Rhoda Riggs, and others. The ager. of the 



206 Pioneer' History of Bandera County 

scholars ranged from five to thirty years, and old 
Prof. Koenigheim would lick the largest as readily as 
he would spank the smallest. Mr. Thallman also at- 
tended a short term of school on Doe Creek, taught 
l)y Prof. Dobljins. Former teachers had had difficulty 
in controlling obstreperous boys in that school, until 
Dobbins, who was a stranger, came along and applied 
for the school. He straightened out some of the big 
boys, read the riot act to the district supervisor, and 
was giving general satisfaction to the patrons, when 
he suddenly took a notion to leave and quietly de- 
parted for parts unknown. 

Mr. Thallman was raised here during Indian times, 
but says he never saw an Indian while he was working 
on the range. They made frequent raids into this 
county, stealing horses and killing people, and he be- 
lieves they often saw him, but he never saw tbem. 
One morning, when he was about thirteen years old, 
he went out after the oxen, which grazed near the 
head of Privilege Creek. Seven of the oxen had bells 
on, and when he had located these bells he went to 
the fatherest ones to round them up and drive them 
in, going in a gallop and hallowing to them as he went 
along. He was gone about half an hour, and as he 
came back he found one of the oxen had been killed 
by Indians and they had hurriedly cut out and carried 
away some of the flesh. He dismounted and removed 
the bell, little realizing that perhaps savage eyes were 
watching his movements. Rounding up the remain- 
ing oxen he proceeded leisurely homeward, and when 
he reached town and informed Robert Ballentyne and 
some of the rangers of what had occurred they would 
not belie \'c him, bul in a fc\v huur^ ruuucrij came in 



Pioneer Bistorij of Bandera County 207 

announcing that the Indians had stolen a lot of horses 
belonging to Bladen Mitchell and others. 

When Mr. Thallman located a pre-emption on 
Middle Verde he was the first settler to establish a 
home on that creek. The nearest habitation at that 
time was the sheep ranch of Judge Booker Davenport. 
Here Mr. Thallman has remained all these years. 
His ranch of 2225 acres is one of the ideal stock-farms 
of the county. 



HENRY RACKOW. 

Henry Rackow, who died in Bandera June 27th, 
1 922, was one of the pioneer citizens of the county, 
coming here in 1871. He was born in Prussia in 184G, 
grew to manhood in that country, served in the Prus- 
sian army in the war with Denmark, and immediately 
thereafter he came to America and enlisted in the 
United States Army, where he served several years. 
When Mr. Rackow came to Bandera he accepted a 
position in the Carmichael mill and worked there for 
a number of years. He became assistant postmaster 
and served through several terms. Later he purchas- 
ed some sheep and engaged in ranching on Mason 
Creek for awhile. He was a charter member of and 
helped to organize the first Masonic lodge in Bandera, 
and was an active member of that body up to the 
time of his death. Mr. Rackow was never married, 
and is survived by only two or three relatives in the 
United States. 



208 Pioneer History of Handera Couniy 

ANDREW GATLUF JONES. 

The Jones famil^^ has been one of the solid, repre- 
sentative and substantial families of Bandera county 
since the early days of settlement. "Uncle Andy," 
as he is familiarly known, is one of the best citizens 
Bandera county has ever produced, and his sons and 
daughters are numbered among the quiet, thoroughly 
honorable and upright citizens of the county. He 
was born in Bexar county February 24, 1853. His 
father, John A. Jones, a true type of the Texas pio- 
neer, came to Bandera county in 1864 with his familj^ 
and located on Myrtle Creek, Mr. Jones dying there 
in 1895, and his good wife, Mrs. Mahala Jones, sur- 
viving until 1920, when she died. There were eight 
children in the famih- of John A. Jones, five boys and 
three girls, namely; Sam Jones, deceased; Jim Ike 
Jones of Parker Canyon, Ariz.; Ranse Jones, deceased; 
John L. Jones, for many years sheriff of Kimble coun- 
ty, now deceased; Andy G. Jones, the subject of this 
sketch; Mrs. Margaret Stevens, deceased; Mrs. Ma- 
hala Brown, deceased; Mrs. Eliza Brown, lives on the 
Nueces River. 

Coming here in an early day, and foreseeing won- 
derful development for this region in the years to 
come, John A. Jones accumulated extensive land hold- 
ings and when death called him he left his family in 
good shape to meet the struggles of life. In 1914 the 
old Jones homestead was destroyed l>y fire. All of 
the house furnishings, clothing, and $700 in money 
were lost in the fire. The house was built in 1864. 

Andy G. Jones was a small boy, about 11 years 
old, when his parents mo^■ed to Bandera couniy. He 



Pioneer Bisiory of Bandera County W9 

grew to manhood, married and raised his family here, 
and today lives on a beautifully located ranch not far 
from the location made by his father in the early 
days. He went to school in a little clap-board shack 
with a dirt floor, which stood at the forks of Bandera 
and Myrtle creeks. Tom Buckner, father of T. A. 
Buckner the newspaper man, was his first teacher, 
and Mr. Jones says he was a good one. lie taught 
there in'ne months, it being a pay school, with an en- 
rollment of al)out 25 scholars at $1.50 per month per 
scholar. Among the pupils were Sam Jones, Joe 
Minear, Tom Stevens, Jim Brown, George Stevens, 
Margaret Jones, Armizenda Curtis, Lydia (Curtis, 
Heman Chilson, Will Chilson, Martha Buckelew and 
others. All the larger boys carried sixshootcrs to 
school for protection, Mr. Buckner was loved by all 
of his pupils, and took great interest in their sports. 
During the recess and at the noon hour he would 
plaj'' their games with them and engage in such sport 
as ""Bull Pen," "Keep Sake" and other playgrouud 
pastimes. Another teacher of that frontier school 
was a man named Bryant, who had formerly been a 
sheepherder. Mr. Jones says Professor Bryant was 
very absent-minded, and one day while the scholars 
were studying their books Bryant began whistling a 
tune that caused all the school to titter. Noticing 
the commotion, and not aware that he himself had 
produced it. Prof. Bryant rebuked Andy Jones for 
whistling in school. 

In 1874 Andrew G. Jones was married to Miss 
Anna Stevens. They had six children, five of whom 
are yet living, Mrs. Dora Duncan of Medina Lake; 
Ish-d. Lelia Emsley, di'dclin P.W; Jolm Ilxnny JoiTCb, 



210 Pioneerlliistoiy of Bandera County 

lives in Kerr county: Lou B. (Baker) Jones, lives on 
Bandera Creek; George Jones, lives near his father; 
Mrs. Noma Smith, lives near Camp Verde. Mrs. 
Jones died in 1889. Mr. Jones next married Miss 
Laura Nerthlin, and to this union were born six chil- 
dren, as follows: Florida, Pink, Virgil, Gervis, Ma- 
nila and Salome Jones, all of them being at home. 

In relating some of his frontier experience, Mr. 
Jones said: 

**I was a member of Robert Ballentyne's company 
of minute men, organized for the protection of the 
frontier. We had to scout twenty days in each 
month, and our pay was $20 per month. We furnish- 
ed our own grub and mounts, while the state supplied 
us with guns and ammunition, and gave orders how 
we should take care of our horses. When in camp 
we had to stake and sideline each animal and put out 
A guard. \ Mexican named Manuel, who has been 
an Indian captive for fifteen years, was our trailer 
and guide, and he was a good one. He knew just 
how to follow all signs and trails, and he thoroughly 
hated an Indian. One day we struck an Indian trail 
on Mason Creek and followed it to where the San 
Antonio road crosses Privilege Creek. Here the tr;iil 
led lip I lie creek, and wo foimd a M<*\i<:iii lli.il Icid 
been killed b^ tlif redskins. The Mexican was at 
work building a fence when he was attacked, and 
when he was struck with a rifle ball he ran and took 
refuge in an old chimney which was standing where a 
frontier cabin had once stood, and there he died. 
We found the body in this chimney in a sitting pos- 
ture, with his pistol in hand ready to shoot. From 
Lhcic \vc went on and came to a hbuoe which the In- 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 



mi 



dians had pillaged. They carried off a number of 
articles and trinkets, some of which we picked up as 
we hastily followed the trail. We found where they 
had stopped and painted themselves, preparatory to 
an attack on Jim and John Scott, wdio were clearing- 
land, but they probably discovered our approach and 
fled, scattering in several directions, so that we could 
not successfully follow their trail. We then went to 
the Bladen Mitchell ranch and decided to go over to 
the Casey ranch on the Hondo and try to intercept 
the Indians as they came out of the country. We 
patrolled that region, two men each twenty miles 
apart scouting and observing signs, but without suc- 
cess. Then we crossed over to West Prong of the 
Medina, and here we found a bunch of big wild beef 
steers. Our captain told us to kill them and we shot 






rie.7cni cciioci tLiua^ng <■-' - -ieaiu. 



212 Pioneer History of £andera County 

eight of the big fellows, and as wild as cattle ever got. 
Taking a supply of the beef we went on to the head 
of the Frio, Tom Click and I patrolling. We found a 
place where the Indians had left fourteen Indian 
saddles, and also where they had made a great many 
arrows and mended moccasins. We stayed there four 
days expecting the Indians to come and get their 
saddles, but as they did not show up we burned the 
rudely made saddles, and left there. 

''I remember when the Indians killed Mr. and 
Mrs. Mocu'e on North Prong of the Medina river. 
We took their trail the next day and followed it 
across the mountains. They went into dense cedar 
brakes where it was impossible for more than one or 
two men to go together. F. L. Hicks was with us on 
this scout and when we came to the dense brakes our 
captain said it was unsafe to go in, and several of the 
men turned l)ack, but Mr. Hicks said Lo me: 'And}', 
let's go in; we can whip every red rascal in there,' 
so in we went. It was a risky thing to do, but Mr. 
Hicks was a man absolutely without fear and when 
dni.v t'alh'd lie was always ready Lo respond. it is 
said Uial Indians will not kill a crazy man, so I guess 
they Ihouglil W(? were crazy j'oi- (Milcring llial l)ig 
Ihiekcl. 

"The ncxl scodi wc niadt* we hired old man Smith 
with his three yoke of steers and went to the Frio 
Water Hole, where we built a good pen, and then we 
went to Bull Head on the Nueces and gathered 400 
steers which we intended Lo bring to Handera and 
sell Lo Schmidtke &: Hay for $2 per head. We ap- 
pointed Sam Jones as our boss on this mavericking 
cxpt'di'tion. "'"^liile on the Nueces vre €a'ptu?r'eVi two 



Pioneer Historij of Bniidcrd County 213 

government horses on tlie range with halters on. 
They had escaped from some post some months or 
years before and had become wil(h We brought the 
steers in to the pen as we gathered them, and one 
night they stampeded and seventeen of tliem were 
killed by running against cedar stumps which had 
been left in the pen. About ten miles this side of 
the water hole was another pen which was called Post 
Oak, and we brought our steers to it. Four men had 
to stay with the wagon, and as we were coming to the 
Post Oak pen, Jim Brown, Jim Gobble, Lum Cham- 
pion and myself intended to reach a spring at the 
head of a hollow. There was some Indians there, but 
I suppose they heard the wagon and hid oul, as we 
did not see them. Near the spring I picked up a pair 
of moccasins and a small mirror which had been 
dropped by them. Leaving Champion and Gobble 
with the wagon, Jim Brown and I scouted around the 
spring to try to locate the Indians, but without suc- 
cess. We found where they had killed a cow just a 
short time before and taken some of the beef. They 
were afoot, evidently coming down into the settle- 
ments on a horse-stealing expedition. When we re- 
ported our discoveries to the captain he said we could 
not leave the cattle to follow the Indians, but to guard 
against attack. That night old Manuel and I stood 
guard around the horses, and at different times dur- 
ing the night the horses showerl signs of alarm and 
we made ready to secure an Indian scalp, but they 
did not come. We delivered our steers in due time 
and received $2 per head for them, and also received 
$50 for the two government horses we had captured, 
and we thought we were making money. Somebody 



f:il4 Pioneer History of Banrlera County 

reportefl to Austin tliat wo liad gatViered the 400 
steers, and our arms were ordered to be returned and 
we all got tired from the ranger service. 

"When I was a boy on my father's ranch the gov- 
ernment kept a lot of camels at Camp Verde. One 
day we hobbled three of our horses and turned them 
loose near the house, and fourteen of those old camels 
came lumbering along. The horses took fright at the 
sight of them, and we did not see those horses again 
for many days. My brother and I penned the camels, 
all of them being gentle except one. We roped the 
wild one, but never wanted to rope another, for the 
old humped-back villain slobbered all over us, and 
that slobber made us deathly sick. W^e had a jolly 
time with those camels when we got rid of the foul, 
sickening slobber, and as we often rode broncos and 
wild steers we rode those camels too. The camel has 
a swinging pace and is easy to ride when you catch 
the motion of its gait. They could easily travel 100 
miles in a day. The Indians seemed to be afraid of 
the camels and of course never attempted to steal any 
of them." 



JOE SHEPPARD WOUNDED. 

In A. J. Sowell's book, "Texas Indian Fighters," 
is given the following account of the wounding of Joe 
Sheppard : 

"On one occasion, above where M«^dina City is now, 
about where the Crockett place is, Joe Sheppard was 
riding along alone, and was shot by an Indian with a 
gun, who was hiding behind a big cypress stump. 



Pioneer History of Bandora CoTuitij i?!-^ 

Sheppard saw the Indian just before he fired and 
thought it was a bear. When the ball struck him he 
sprang from his horse and ran behind a drift near the 
river and waited with his gun ready to shoot, not 
knowing how many Indians there were, and supposing 
they would follow him. No Indians came, however, 
but soon a man named Joe Henning came upon the 
scene in a wagon, and helped Sheppard get into it 
and lie down. The ball hit him in the side and he 
was badly hurt. Henning carried him to a doctor, 
but he could not find the ball and said it must have 
dropped out while jolting in the wagon, or else dropped 
inside of him, as he was unable to find it. After a 
hard struggls Sheppard recovered." 

The accuracy of the above is in doubt. In the 
sketch of W. S. Hinds, Sr., to be found on page 132 
of this book, mention is made of the wounding of Joe 
Sheppard, and it is stated that Mr. Hinds picked the 
wounded man up and hauled him to John Benton's 
home, where his wounds were dressed. 

In those days such attacks often occurred. The 
pioneer settler expected these attacks and usuallj' 
went prepared to meet them. The silent speeding 
arrow was the weapon most generally used in making 
attacks from ambush, but in the case of Joe Sheppard 
a large calibre rifle was used. 



^16 . Pioneer ITi.<ifov]/ of Brmrlera Coinif]/ 

THE MAYFIELD FAMILY. 

Mrs. Samantha Elizabeth Mayfield, who lives at 
Medina, has furnished the following sketch of the 
coming of the Mayfield family to Bandera county: 

"On December 25th. 1877, four families left San 
Saba for Bandera. They were W. L. Mayfield, wife 
and six children; B. M. Mayfield, wife and seven 
children; W. W. McElroy, mother and three children; 
Mrs. White, sister of Mr. McElroy, and two little 
girls; and besides these four families there was Bud 
Wilson, Will Campbell and a Mr. Brown. We had a 
very enjoyable trip. Between Fredericksburg and 
Boerne we were caught in a snow storm and had to 
remain in camp several daj^s, but we had good tents 
and did not suffer. Our travel was necessarily slow 
as we bad three ox teams and one horse team. About 
January 10, 1878, we arrived at the Polk Ranch on 
the head of Red Bluff Creek, where we stopped for 
awhile and cleared some land for Louis Polk, then we 
went to the Hondo Canyon and settled a place about 
six miles above where Tarpley is now located, or about 
where the Cleophas Hicks ranch is situated. If I re- 
member correctly, there were onh'' fourteen fam.ilies 
living in Hondo Canyon when we went there: Uncle 
Tommie Lewis and his two sons, Dave and Jim; Mrs. 
Annie E. Brown, better known as Grandma Brown: 
Uncle Street Hudspeth, Joe Hudspeth, INIr. Tuckoi*, 
Uncle Henry Jeffers, Martin Jefi'ers, Taylor Hester, 
Joe Shull, Marsh Click, Joe Phelps, Uncle Joel Casej' 
and his son, Sam Casey. I know of only one person 
new living in the Hondo Canyon who was there when 
we ipoved in and that is Grandma Brown, unless it 



Pioneer His for J/ of Bandera Covvty !217 

be that her daughter, Mrs. Ryle, is still living there. 
We remained on the Hondo one year, and then moved 
to what is now known as the Hansen ranch on 
Winan's Creek. This was a wild country with plenty 
of game, deer, turkey and a few bear. We have been 
here forty-four years, and durinjjthat time have made 
only two crop failures — in 1879 and 1917. We can 
make more with less work and as little rain here as 
any place in the United States. 

My husband. B. M. Mayfield, died January 9, 
1912, aged 77 years. I am the mother of twelve 
children, seven boys and five girls. Four of these 
children have died, leaving eight, who are married 
and have large families. Walter, the oldest, lives at 
Medina: Brice, also of jNIedina: Mrs. Ernest Banta of 
Medina; Harry, of Port Arthur; Sam and Mrs. T. A. 
ikickner of San Marcos; Mrs. L. A. Holster of Shreve- 
port, La., and Jas. H. Maj^field of Medina, with whom 
I make my home. 

"T believe I am the only one left of the older ones 
of our original party that came here in 1877. I am 
now 78 years old, in very good health, and quite 
stout for a person of my age." 



218 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

THE BUCKNER FAMILY. 

Among the pioneer settlers of this county were 
Judge E. E. Buckner and his son. Thomas L. Buck- 
ner, who came out from Kentucky to cast their for- 
tunes on the frontier. Judge Buckner was one of the 
first Judges of the old 38th Judicial District and made 
his headquarters at Castroville, then the county seat 
of Medina county. His son, Thos. L. Buckner, who 
had had the advantage of a good education, went to 
Austin and entered the Confederate Army and was 
commissioned a lieutenant. After the war he return- 
ed to Bandera and married Miss Martha Buckelew. 
Two sons were born to them, Emmett and Tom Buck- 
ner, who grew to manhood here. The father died in 
1875. Mrs. Buckner in 1881 married Jas. Pogmore 
and taking up a pre-emption on Winan's Creek they 
lived there many years, Emmett Buckner married 
Miss Elorence Hinds, daughter of W. S. Hinds. Sr,, of 
Rocky Creek. They had eight children, six of whom 
are still living. In 1919 Emmett Buckner moved with 
his family to California where he died with influenza. 
His wife and three unmarried children still reside in 
that state while the three oldest daughters still live 
in this section, being Mrs. Wm. Edwards of Pipe 
Creek, Mrs. Ered Smith and Mrs. Sterling Eisher of 
Utopia. Toni Buckner was married in 1894 to Miss 
Harriet Mayfield and they have reared a family of 
four children. For many years they lived in Bandera 
county, Mr. Buckner entering the newspaper business 
when in 1904 he leased the old Bandera Enterprise. 
Later he was engaged in newspaper work at Center 
Point and Kerrville, and now he and his son, Walter 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 319 

Buckner, own the San Marcos Record, one ot the best 
weekly newspapers in Texas. 

The senior Thos. Tv. Buckner was Bandera's first 
county and district clerk. He taught school for a 
number of years, and there are many old men and 
women living here who were among his pupils. 

Judge E. F. Buckner, after living here several 
years, went back to Kentucky where he died at a ripe 
age. One of the ancient landmarks of the county is 
the old Buckner homestead on Myrtle Creek, on the 
old Ike Stevens place. It is built of cypress logs, 
covered with home-made shingles, and by request of 
Mr. Stevens before his death, the old house has been 
allowed to stand as a monument to the early settlers. 
At the time Judge Buckner built this cabin on Myrtle 
Creek, Clias. Montague and his son, Charlie, settled 
on the present Montague ranch and built the old rock 
residence which still stands there. The two boys, 
(Charlie and Tom, were close chums as they grew up 
and later soldiered together. Their friendship and 
experiences of the early days is perhaps the cause of 
the close friendship that through all these years has 
existed between the two families. A remarkable fea- 
ture of this friendship is the fact that as there was a 
Charlie Montague and a Tom Buckner to chum to- 
gether in the seventies, their sons, Charlie, Jr., and 
Tom, Jr., were special chums when they grew to young 
manhood, and the close bond of friendship still exists. 

(xrandma Pogmore. mother of the lUickner boys, 
lived until 1915, when she died at the home of her 
son, Tom Buckner, at Kerrville. The step-father, 
James Pogmore, died some years before at the home 
of Emmett Buckner on the Hondo. 



9.20 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 

AMASA CLARK. 



A word painter with vision enough to grasp history 
in the making could weave a wonderful story of the 
life of this grand old man, Amasa Clark, who looks 
serenel.y back upon al- 
most a hundred years 
of the greatest changes 
the world has known. 
Men have looked with 
awe upon some inani- 
mate object — a tree or 
a towering peak — that 
has stood immutable 
amid the changes of 
the years. Amasa 
Clark h a s watched 
changes as great, and 
more, he can tell of 
them. His memory is 
fresh, and he tells the 
story with interest and 
spirit. 

Mr. Clark was born on Socharrie Creek, in So- 
charrie county, New York, September 3, 1828, only a 
few years after Old Hickory whipped the British at 
New Orleans and before the Alamo and San Jacinto 
field were baptized into immortality by the blood of 
Texas heroes, he has passed through five wars on the 
soil of the Ignited States. Thus he has faced all the 
dangers, hardships and privations that were the lot 
of those who went ahead to soften the wilderness for 
the tender feet of civilization. From the time when 




Amasa Clark 



Pioneer Mlsiory of Bandera County 221 

armies contended with muzzle- loading muskets, and 
wooden frigates sailed the seas, he has watched the 
science of warfare develop into systematic slaughter 
by aerial monsters, hurled by the tremendous force of 
explosives a thousand times more powerful than the 
gunpowder that prostrated the American Indians with 
awe at the £oming of the first white men. He has 
lived from the time when solid shot was the greatest 
weapon at the command of the armies to the day of 
the explosive shell which sweeps all things living from 
vast areas. He has watched the trail of wild things 
through the wilderness metamorphosed into teeming 
paths of commerce. He has seen the place of the ox- 
drawn vehicle taken by the high-powered automobile 
and the giant airplanes contending for the supremacy 
of the air. Amasa Clark has seen much, and it is his 
earnest hope that he may live to see Society and its 
foster-mother, Civilization, triumph at last in the 
realization of universal peace. 

When Amasa Clark came into this world Texas 
was a province, the home of wild beasts and 
savage men; a province whose rivers, mountains 
and i)lains were unexplored, and whose future found 
oiilline only in the aml)itious plans of a Uurr, a Wil- 
kinson, or a Blannerhassett. When but a lad he left 
his native state, New York, enlisted in the army and 
valiantly fought his way from Vera Cruz to Chapul- 
tepec with General Scott, and when victory had 
crowned the American arms in Mexico he came to 
Texas. Here he cast his lot to blaze the way for on- 
coming generations. He has seen the signal fires of 
the savage gleam from a thousand peaks and lia^ fol- 
ToVy-ed their encri'mscned trail across the hills an'd 



222 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

plains along the vast extent of our Texas border. 
Sitting upon the pedestal of years, he now looks down 
upon an Empire state where savage invasion is only 
a memory; where homes, towns and cities dot the 
land, where a million boys and girls go to school, and 
with lofty and exultant pride may well this venerated 
father exclaim, "I was an humble factor in this won- 
derful achievement." 

Like most men of his advanced age the period of 
second childhood has succeeded that of vigorous man- 
hood, but the memory fraught with the record of three 
generations is not bedimmed by the frailties of ex- 
treme age, and he has a ready recollection of events 
and incidents of the early period that is, to say the 
least, remarkable. Just a question or a suggestion is 
all that is needed to awaken his memory and he un- 
folds narrative after narrative of thrilling events of 
the distant past. Incidents of his early childhood 
days are clearly remembered by him and he relates 
them to his grandchildren and great grandchildren to- 
day. He claims his age as 94, and has records to 
prove it. He is still a well preserved man apd quite 
active. He has never used tobacco or liquor, and is 
proud of it. Mr. Clark is today drawing a pension 
of $50 per month from the government for his service 
in the Mexican War in 1847. He is one of onl}' 73 
survivors of that great conflict. He landed at Vera 
Cruz with General Scott's forces and marched to 
Mexico City, taking part in all the bloodj' engage- 
ments along the way, finally making a triumphant 
entry into the Mexican capital and saw the Stars and 
Stripes ^\ ave proudly from the National Palace. It 
would require a \ blume to recount his experiences in 



PioneerZEistory'of Bandera County 223 

that war alone. He was commended by his superior 
officers for bravery in action and in street jBghting in 
Mexico City. 

Mr. Clark manages his farm of 160 acres, looks 
after his business affairs with the same ability he has 
always displayed. He gets about without the aid of 
a cane, his step is sprightly, and his extreme age is 
indicated only by his stooped shoulders and white 
hair. In appearance he would easily pass for a man 
about 68 or 70 years old. He is the father of nine- 
teen children, several of whom are now old men and 
women. Sixteen of his children are living. On July 
10, 1859, Mr. Clark was married to Miss Eliza Jane 
Wright, at Fredericksburg, Texas. To them were 
born eleven children ; Annie and x\masa, Jr.. died 
with diptheria while quite young; Ed Clark, lives in 
Bandera; Isaac Clark, lives at Caddo Mills, Texas, 
Mrs. Amanda North, lives at Poteet, Texas; Mrs. 
Mary Selby, died in Atascosa county; Mrs. Caroline 
Taylor, lives at Van Nuys, California; Mrs. Olive 
Cosgrove, lives near Bandera; John Clark, lives at 
Tarpley, Texas; Mrs. Eliza Massey, lives at VanNuys, 
California; Sam Clark lives near Bandera. Mrs. 
Kli/a Jane (lark died July 1, 1888. On May 4, 1885, 
Mr. Clark was married to Miss Lucy Wedgeworth. 
To them were born eight children: Zack Clark of 
Atascosa county; Ben Clark of Bandera; Orange Judd 
Clark of Bandera; Mrs. Bessie Schmidtke of Bandera; 
Mrs. Albert Maass of Randlett, Oklalioma; Mrs. 
Bertha Hill of San Antonio; Alvin Clark of ('harlotte, 
Texas; Mrs. Kittic Evans of San Antonio. Several of 
Mr. Clark's children have large families, and he does 
not laiovv llie number uf his deijccndanlb. 



23^ PioJieer History of Sandera County 

Today Mr. and Mrs. Clark live on the farm, four 
miles west of Bandera, which Mr. Clark purchased 
many years ago from a man named Hardin, Here 
Mr. Clark engaged in the nursery' business until ad- 
vancing age compelled him to retire from that work. 
He still has a fine orchard, and last year, 1921, he 
marketed nearlj^ 1,000 bushels of pears at $1.00 per 
bushel. 

At the close of the Mexican War Mr. Clark was 
discharged from the service at San Elizario, near El 
Paso, and afterwards came to Bandera and has resid- 
ed here continuously ever since. He gives some of 
his experiences here as follows: 

"After my discharge from the United States army, 
and from active service in Mexico, I went to San An- 
tonio, where I remained for some time. Then I went 
up on the Guadalupe river, just below where Center 
Point is now situated, and assisted O. B. Miles, who 
was hauling shingles to San Antonio for Gillis & Wil- 
kins, w^ho had the only shingle camp there, A tribe 
of Delaware Indians were encamped nearby and were 
very kind and friendly toward us. Some of our men 
had visited the Bandera Pass region and had often 
spoken in such glowing terms of the picturesque 
scenery and the abundance of game in the Medina 
valley that T determined to visit this region myself, 
They reported three families camped on the Medina, 
and those three families were the founders of the first 
settlement in Bandera county, which afterward be- 
came the town of Bandera. The Delaware Indians 
fre((uently invited me to join them in their hunting 
forays, and one time they insisted that I accompany 
them to the ^ledina vallev to kill deter for the hides. 



Pioneer Bisiory of Bandera County 235 

Thus I made my first visit to the beautiful Bandera 
region. T found game plentiful, and the three families 
here were so hospitable and friendly and treated me 
witli such kind consideration I decided to tarry with 
them for awhile at least. That sojourn has been pro- 
longed over a period of seventy years, and I am still 
here. This country was in its wildest state when I 
came here in 1852. It was no trouble to step out a 
short distance from camp and kill deer or turkey. 
Grass was knee high, there was not as much brush 
and oak timber here then as grows on our hills today. 
The country was open and you could see objects a 
mile or two away much easier than you can now see 
them a few hundred yards distant. I remember the 
first bear I ever killed. I had gone out to Privilege 
Creek one time to cut hay, and while there our supply 
of meat gave out, so I went forth to kill a deer, and 
came upon a big bear. I shot him dead, and we had 
plenty of meat. Another bear experience that might 
interest the boys and girls, happened when I had 
some cattle on the Davenport ranch. I went out 
there one day to look after them, and while on my 
way I found an old bear with two very small cubs. 
I caught one of the cubs and the old bear stood up- 
right and made for me, growling and showing her 
teeth, but I outran her and got away with the young 
one. She did not seem inclined to pursue me very 
far, probably because she was afraid to leave the 
other cub. 1 took my cub home with me and raised 
it to a good size. He became very gentle and afford- 
ed me much pleasure and amusement. Sometimes I 
would turn him loose and he would invariably head 
fur the slop bucket and eat the contents, and often he 



226 Pioneer Mistory of Handera Couniy 

would climb to the water shelf and sit down in the 
water bucket. I went off on a trip one day and when 
I returned I was grieved to find some bc^ys had killed 
my beloved pet. 

*'The first Indian raid that occurred in this region 
that I know of took place along about 1854. Charles 
de Montel had a horse-power saw mill, and worked 
eight or ten horses. A negro named Oliver was the 
driver. One morning this negro went out to look for 
the mill horses but could not find them, for the In- 
dians had stolen them and taken them up the river to 
a point known as White Bluff. As soon as it became 
known that the Indians had driven them oft', Gideon 
Carter, Irvin Carter, O. B. Miles, Dan Turner, and 
several others took the trail and started up the river, 
and when they had gone several miles \hey met the 
horses coming back, as they had escaped from the In- 
dians. Turner was leCt in charge of the horses and 
the other members of the party pushed on to over- 
take and chastise the Indians. Some distance further 
on they espied two Indians coming on the back trail 
with their heads down, following the horses' tracks. 
When the Indians saw the white men they dashed off* 
jirul got into ihe brush. Tlie white men went on and 
soon discovere'd th« Indiiins' camp and made ready to 
charge it, bul a deep gulch prevented them from ad- 
vancing far, so they had to go around some distance 
to get to it. The Indians, seeing them approaching, 
left the camp and went up on a mountain, one of them 
riding a beautiful white horse, but during the charge 
which followed the Indian killed that white horse to 
keep him from falling into the hands of the white 
int'n. The InVJian^ made ^bud their escape and the 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 227 

pursuers returned to the camp where they found a 
bible and some boys' clothing in one of the wigwams. 
This occurred about twenty-five miles above Bandera. 
"I remember when the Duffy hotel was built. It 
was erected for Mrs. Nicholson, a daughter of Mr. 
Savery, and the lumber in it was sawed out of heart 
cypress. Later Duffy & Martin ran a little store 
therein. I recall an amusing incident that occurred 
in the little store one day. The firm had on sale 
some canned cranberries, which was a new berry to 
many of the citizens here. Some of the boys called 
them 'cram' berries, and one asked Duffy, 'Where do 
we cram 'em.^' Mr. Duffy promptly replied, 'Cram 
them in your mouth.' I greatly miss Hugh Duffy. 
He was one of the noblest characters I ever met. The 
many years that I knew him I always found him the 
same generous, gentle, kind and afi'able gentleman. 
Another polished gentleman who came here in those 
early times was Joseph H. Poor, who came from Port- 
land, Maine. He was a well bred, scholarly gentle- 
man, and had a sheep ranch on Middle Verde. I 
lived with him for some time, and while I was there 
the Indians killed two of his slieepherders, an Irish- 
man whose name I have forgotten and a German 
named Karl Asmus. Poor owned several negroes, and 
after the Civil War he was shot by one of the freed 
negroes named Dave, and came near dying from his 
wounds. Andrew Mansfield and myself, when we 
heard of the shooting, went over there and attended 
Poor, who finally recovered. The negro was tried 
for attempt to murder, but for lack of sufficient evi- 
dence to convict he was acquitted. Poor later went 
back to Maine a'n'd dt^d ili't'rc :^cfme years aftcAvai'd. 



228 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

"O. B. Miles was another early settler here who 
was one of my good friends. He was in my regiment 
in the Mexican War, but we were not in the same 
company. Mr. Miles, like myself, was born in -New 
York state. He lived for awhile over on the Guada- 
lupe near Comfort, and moved his family to Bandera 
in 1853, and became chief justice here when the coun- 
ty was organized in 1857. The first term of court was 
held in a little building in the western part of town. 

"Bandera has many running creeks which flow into 
the Medina river. It may be interesting to know 
how some of these creeks were named. AYhen the 
hrst three families, vSaner, Milstead and Odeni. came 
here from Boerne in 1852, they moved in wagons 
drawn by oxen. They crossed a little stream which 
they called Red Bluff Creek because of the reddish 
color of its steep bank. They camped on another 
httlc stream, and while there Odem lost his pipe. 
Since that time that stream has been called Pipe 
Creek. They journeyed forward and came to another 
gurgling brooklet where the prospect was so pleasing 
and the landscape so inviting Odem was heard to say 
that he would 'lay his pre-emption there with the 
])rivilcgc of lifting iT it' lh(\v found better land farther 
oil. Th;il w.is cxcr nllcrw itrd ciiljcd i*ri\'ilcg(' ('iTck. 
HundciM (.'reek was Ihiis e.illed lieeMilse ll li;ul ils 
'\j\x\it- near Bandera J 'ass ■\iason Creek was at one 
time called Wolf Creek. Milstead killed a doe on a 
little branch and it was named Doe Creek, and a dry 
run nearby was called Mud Creek. Winan's ('reek, 
Hicks' Creek, Laxson's Creek, l^rewingtoirs Creek, 
and W^illiams' Creek were named for first settlers; 
\Yallace Creek \vas ;jo named because Big Faul AYal- 



Pioneer ITii^foi'ij of Bttmlci'd Count \i 9i?id 

lace at one time owned land there. Rocky Creek was 
rightly named. Julian (pronounced hool-yan) is a 
Mexican name, as is also Verde. Tn that language 
'verde' means green. There are many other streams 
in the county that T do not recall how tliey were 
were named. 

"A great many tragedies have heen enacted dur- 
ing the time I have lived here, and to recount them 
all woidd require a book several times the si/e of this 
volume. There were murders committed bj' the In- 
dians, and killings by white people. A man named 
Harnes, who lived on the Hondo, disappeared some- 
time during the sixties. It was beHeved at the time 
that he was murdered and his body burned. 

At the time the Indians killed Tom Click they 
stole a good horse from me. The horse was a very 
fast animal, and that daj^ while I was at the Rangers 
camp Joe Sutherland and Polly Rodriguez matched a 
race. Quite a crowd gathered to see the fun. It was 
agreed that the one who got beat in the race would 
have to run against my horse. They did not know 
the speed of my nag. When all was in readiness they 
selected me to start the horses off, and old man Chip- 
man and others went to the coming out place to judge 
winner. As I gave the order to 'go' they dashed off 
and my horse followed. I just let him run and he 
beat the other two horses by a good lengtli. Chip- 
man said I had judged the race at both ends of the 
track. That night the Indians stole my horse. 

"Yes, I attended all of the weddings and social 
functions in those early days, and danced with the 
belles of the community. . I knew all of the Polish 
girls.. Sou^e of them are still living and, like myself, 



230 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

have grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Miss 
Kusha (Kate) Dugos was a comely maiden. She mar- 
ried Anton Anderwald, still lives in Bandera, and is 
now past eighty years old. 

"One time, in 1856, when I was returning from a 
trip to San Antonio with Dr. Thompson and John 
Ivindla, we were attacked hy robbers at night while 
we slept. Dr. Thompson was killed outright, and 
Mr. Kindla was so badly injured he never recovered, 
and died some years later from his wounds. I was 
badl}^ battered up, and rendered unconscious for sev- 
eral hours, and I still carry the scars on my head. 
An old rusty gun barrel was the weapon used. When 
I came to myself the next morning I managed to get 
the oxen yoked to the wagon, and assisted Kindla 
into it, and we made our way to the only house be- 
tween San Antonio and Bandera, where we were given 
aid. We were then taken to San Antonio and I spent 
some time in a hospital there. A posse was organized 
and the robbers were trailed to San Antonio, where a 
battle ensued in which Phil Stroupe, the city marshal, 
and one of the robbers were killed. While I am very 
active and in good health now at the age of ninety- 
four, I believe the injuries sustained in this murder- 
ous attack weakened my constitution to some extent 
and greatly impaired my hearing. 

''I remember when the camels were brought to 
Camp Verde, and how the government expected to 
use them to transport dispatches across the desert to 
El Paso and to other posts. I worked with those 
camels for fourteen months, 1859-1860, and as a relic 
of these days I still have in my possession two pillows 
made from camels' hair. The camels are gone, and 



Pioneer History of Bandera County S-Jl 

but one of the buildings at old Camp Verde remains 
standing.'*' 

Mrs. Lucy Clark, the present wife of Amasa Clark, 
was born in Jackson county, Mississippi, January 7, 
1859, and came to Texas with her mother Mrs. James 
Wedgeworth, in December. 1881. settling near Sabinal 
Station. Later Mrs. Wedgeworth moved to Vander- 
pool in Bandera county, where her daughter, Miss 
Lucj'^ Wedgeworth, was married to Amasa Clark in 
1885. Three of Mrs. Clark's brothers are still living. 
Zack Wedgeworth lives at Clovis. California; James 
Wedgeworth lives at Jourdanton, Texas, and John 
Wedgeworth lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Two sisters 
are also living, Mrs. S. D. Smith of Melvin, and Mrs. 
Amanda Snow of Ingram. Mrs. Clark is the mother 
of eight children, four boys and four girls, all living, 
and their names are given in the list of the Clark 
children on a preceding page. In that list the name 
of one daughter appears as Mrs. Albert Maass, when 
it should be Mrs. Elberta Maass. Two of Mrs. 
Clark's sons. Orange and Alvin Clark, were in the 
service during the World War, Orange with the 
Marines, and Alvin in the air service. Both of them 
went overseas and came back without injuries. 



/:i/)2 n oncer Hi at on j of Ftmidrrn Ooinify 

GABRIEL ANDERWALD. 

1 was born in Poland, March 24, 1851, and when I 
was four years old ray parents, Frank and Elizabeth 
Anderwald, came to America with a colonj^ of onr 
people and settled at Bandera in 1855. Here I was 
raised and for sixty-seven years I have lived right 
here at Bandera. In 1880 I secured the farm tract 
where I am now living and improved it, but the life 
of a bachelor did not suit me at all, so in 1881 I was 
married to Miss Mary Moravietz, and we have lived 
on that farm more than forty years,raising: a family of 
nine children, four boys and five girls. Their names 
are as follows: Mrs. Annie Dugos. of Bandera; Mrs. 
Susan Gavlich, of Boerne; Tom Anderwald, who mar- 
ried Miss Nona Snare and now lives at Pipe Creek; 
Raymuld Anderwald, lives at home; Genevieve, who 
has taken the veil and is now in the Sisterhood; Frank 
Anderwald, who married Miss Agnes Tanheiser and 
lives on Middle Verde; Henry Anderwald. lives at 
*White Deer, Texas, and Misses Augustina and Amelia 
Anderwald, live at home. I have seen Bandera grow 
from a straggling village with only a few families to a 
good sized town and the population of the county in- 
creased from two or three hundred to several thousand. 
When I was a boy I worked for fifty cents a day, 
from before daylight in the m.orning until after dark 
in the evening, and thought I was getting big wages. 
I wore homespun clothing, home-made shoes and a 
hat plaited from wheat straw. Our luxuries were 
very few and our means limited. But we had our 
pleasures in those days, despite the dangers that sur- 
rounded us and the inconveniences with which we 



Pioneer Hhtori I of nancleva Conn 1 7/ .'?.7.7 

had to contend, and I believe we enjoyed life then 
much better than the young people of this day and 
time with their automobile joy rides, picture shows, 
jazz dances, and scant attire. We Jiad our parties 
and dances, picnics and barbecues, and best of all 
the wedding celebrations. 1 remember when my 
father-in-law, Tom Moravietz, married Miss Frances 
Haiduk. Is was his second marriage, his first wife 
having died some years before. The couple went to 
San Antonio in an ox-wagon, where the ceremony was 
performed and when they returned to Bandera three 
days later a big celebration was held. We feasted 
and danced all day and all night. Albert Haiduk 
was the fiddler on this occasion, and he kept the music 
going as long as the crowd stayed. John Pyka, Mrs. 
John Adamietz, Cuistian Dugos, John Anderwald, and 
others yet living can remember what a big time we 
had. And another celebration that is not forgotten 
was the double wedding of my brother, John Ander- 
wald and Miss Annie Jureczki and Cuistian Dugos and 
^liss Agnes Halamuda, which took place on July 2, 
1872. We feasted and danced for two days and two 
nights, and were all utterly exhausted when the fes- 
tivities ended. Both couples are still living here. 

In the early days F. A. Hicks opened a silver mine 
on the ranch of A. McCiill on Cow Creek, about ten 
miles west of Handera. He found some ore Ihal 
promised good returns, but after going some depth it 
did not pay. A man named Meyer bought the mine 
and spent a great deal of money on it, but without 
returns. It was finally abandoned. While the mine 
was being worked, a man named Jim Buckelew lost 
his life by falling into the shaft. 



^SA 'Pioneer History of Bandera County 

I went up the trail to Wichita, Kansas, in 1873 
with a herd of cattle for Schmidtke & Hay . In 1874 
I worked for the same firm cutting logs and making 
shingles. While I was engaged in this work Morgan 
Moncur and myself were sent down to the old Mor- 
mon Camp, accompanied by two negroes with teams 
to haul the logs. We camped at Mrs. Spettel's place, 
now covered by Medina Lake, and while here the 
Indians stole our work stock one night. They did 
not get our saddle horses for we had them staked close 
by. The negroes got scared and pulled out, but 
Moncur and I took the trail of the Indians, followed 
it to Turk's Head hill, from there west to Bee Bluff 
on the Verde, then towards the Hondo, but the trail 
circled back and came out below the Davenport rancJi 
and then went on to Burns' Pass. When we reached 
the Pass we saw five Indians on Commission Creek 
with a large drove of horses. The Indians discovered 
us about the same time and started the horses in a 
run, while one of the redskins took a position on a 
small hill to watch our movements and see if more 
men were likely to come and join us. We stopped 
and held a council to decide just what to do, when 
suddenl3' the lookout Indian dashed away to join his 
comrades. We then went to Casey's ranch for help 
and Joe Casey and Bill Hester agreed to go with us 
in pursuit of the Indians. We knew they were mak- 
ing for the head of the Hondo, so we cut across the 
country to intercept them, and when we reached the 
head of the Hondo the Indians were already there, 
and we discovered their presence when a rifle ball 
whizzed dangerously close to us, causing us to scurry 
for cover behind some trees. Bill Hester had a 



Pioneer nistory of Bandera County 



9.35 



Winchester and returned the fire, causing them to 
circle about a bit and then they passed over the ridge 
going upon another hill vvliere four other Indians 
joined them, making nine in all. It being after sun- 
down, and darkness coming on we decided to give 
up the chase, as there were only four of us, and we 
were poorl\' armed. We returned home, and the next 
day INIorgan Moncur gathered a party of nine or ten 
men and went to the head of the Medina, where they 
overtook the Indians, and found about eighteen of 
them. The redskins scattered and all got away. 
Only one horse was captured by the white men, and 
that was an old animal belonging to William Ballen- 
tvne and it had been left behind by the Indians. 




Bandera County Court House 



3'">0 rioiieer TTifitnvii of Band era Coiuitij 

FULMORE'S VERSION. 

In Z. T. Fullmore's "History and Geography of 
Texas as Told in County Names," appears the follow- 
ing version of the naming of Bandera county. Some 
of the early settlers here do not vouch for the truth- 
fulness of the last paragraph : 

"Bandera county took its name from Bandera Pass. 
The word means "flag." The reason for the applica- 
tion of this name to the pass, which is the natural 
gateway through the Guadalupe Mountains, is not 
certainly known. There are three traditions in regard 
to it, two of which are in entire accord with well known 
historical facts and virtually connect themselves with 
them. The pass is about fifty miles northwest of San 
Antonio, and was directly on the route from San An- 
tonio to the San Saba Mission. For many yeare it 
was a strategic point for the Indians. Yoakum's His- 
tory of Texas informs us that in 1752 an armed force 
pursued a band of marauding Apaches, who had made 
one of their numerous forays to San Antonio. That 
around and near this pass the Indians had their vil- 
lages, and when they reached this place they made 
their stand and fought vigorously, but were severely 
beaten by the Spaniards. A tradition was current 
among the old Manchaca and other families in San 
Antonio a hundreds years ago as to this battle, with 
the added statement that the Spaniards, 
after they had severely chastised the Indians, 
left their flags planted upon thf mountain top as a 
signal and warning that more punishment would be 
meted out if they resumed their raids upon the settle- 
ments. We are informed by the histories that the 



Pioneer History'of Handera County 237 

Comanches, a few years later, came down into this 
region, made war upon the Apaches and soon over- 
came them. Not content with this, they began their 
raids upon the settlements, and in 1758 destroyed the 
Mission San Saba and its garrison. 

"The government at the Citj^ of Mexico had per- 
sistentl}" failed to garrison San Antonio with a suffi- 
cient force to protect the settlers. In 1759 they in- 
duced the Apaches to join them as auxiliaries and 
with a force of 500 men, a majority being Apache 
auxiliaries, marched against the Comanches. Meeting 
a force of 0,000 Comauches and allied warriors, they 
retired to San Antonio and disbanded. The only hope 
for protection of any sort now rested upon their ability 
to treat with the Comanches, and for this purpose 
Padre Calahorra and other priests were deputed to 
make treaties. One of the results was the fixing of 
a boundary- between the regions they were to occupy 
and the Gaudalupe Mountains became the line and a 
flag on the mountain was the sign of the treaty. AYliile 
the treaty was habitually violated by the Comanches 
it afforded the only i)rotection the settlers had in 
after years. 

"The circumstances and facts of the tradition, 
which refer to this treaty, were related to a party of 
gentlemen who were traveling through that region in 
1867. They encamped for the night at the count}^ 
site, and while there some thieving Comanches crept 
in under cover of the darkness and stole some horses. 
As soon as it was found out, the sheritf with a posse 
started in pursuit, riding as rapidly as possible to this 
pass, through which they knew the thieves would at- 
tempt to go, but when they reached the puij they 



338 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 



found the Indians had preceded them and had left a 
red flag planted upon the mountain nearby. They 
immediately abandoned pursuit and returned home. 
Upon being asked why they abandoned their pursuit 
they explained that that flag meant a fight with an 
armed force of Comauches in the event they went be- 
yond; that the Comanches claimed the mountains as 
a line which set aside to them all the region to the 
north and west of this pass under an ancient treaty 
with the Spaniards (evidently the treaty above re- 
ferred to), and any thieving Indian band who could 
get their stolen property safely across that line, was 
fully protected by the whole tribe. They relied upon 
this old treaty to give legal color to their robberies." 




Uandtjia. Public bcijuul IJLuldiiii 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 239 

J. A. TEGGERT. 

J. A. Teggert was born in Canada in 1845, and 
emmigrated to the United States when he was quite 
a young man. He came to Texas in 1871, finally 
locating at Somerset in Atascosa county, where he 
was married to Miss Eugenia Lewis in 1876. In 
1877, with his wife, Mr. Teggert moved to Bandera 
county and rented land from Harvey Stanard, near 
Medina City, on which he raised big crops. He was 
so favorably impressed with the country that he was 
content to remain here many years, and although he 
now resides at Electra, in the Panhandle, he ma,kes 
frequent visits to old Bandera count}', where he still 
has many friends who are always glad to welcome 
him. Mrs. Teggert died at Medina in 1914. 

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Teggert, 
and grew to manhood and womanhood in Medina. 
The children are Mrs. Essie Johnson of Medina, Miss 
Flora Teggert of Arizona, Jim Teggert of Electra, 
Mrs. Lela Hardwick deceased. Homer Teggert of 
Electra, Mrs. Zella P'reeman of Panhandle, Mrs. 
Louie Brown of BeaumonL, Robert Teggert of Pan- 
handle, Mrs. Beatrice Wyatt of Electra, Miss Gladys 
Teggert deceased. 



240 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

SCOUTED IN BANDERA COUNTY. 

Taylor Thompson, veteran newspaper man who 
died in the Confederate Home at Austin in 1919, com- 
manded a body of rangers that made frequent scout- 
ing trips to this region during the sixties. I have 
quite a number of sketches which Mr. Thompson con- 
tributed to the press a few years ago, and among them 
I find the following: 

"On one occasion, with a squad of fourteen men I 
followed the trail of a party of Indians from a point 
in Medina county to somewhere near the head of the 
Medina river, where we despaired of overtaking them, 
and abandoned the trail. The next morning I sent 
ten men under the command of my corporal, to return 
south, going down the Hondo Creek, while with three 
companions I took the more easterly route, intending 
Ibo go by the town of Bandera and thence down the 
Medina river to a rendezvous agreed upon on the 
lower Hondo. When a few miles below the old Mor- 
mon Camp on the Medina late one evening we came 
to the camp of three men avIio were traveling in a 
w'agon. They were strangers to us but we camped 
wath them for the night, the two parties together 
numbering seven men. We learned that the three 
men lived in Atascosa county and had been up in the 
mountains on a bee hunting expedition. W^ehad seen 
several Indian signal smokes that day. There was not 
a settlement within ten miles of our camp, and as there 
were ten or fifteen horses in the camp, we all prepared 
to sleep with one eye open that night, though of course 
the sentinel was posted before we retired. I took the 
tiecopd watch, going on duty at 11 o'clock. 1 had 



Pioneer History of Bandera County ^Ji.1 

scarcely reached mj' post when a voice, seemingly 
about twenty yards away, called me by name and 
said, 'Come out here, I want to show you something.' 
Of course I did not go, but after looking around cau- 
tiously I went to camp and saw that my six compan- 
ions were all lying on their blankets. When I resumed 
my post another voice on the opposite side of the 
camp called out in Spanish, 'Look out, you d — d 
rangers, we'll get all of your horses tonight, and may 
be some of your scalps.' The voice did not seem to 
be more than twenty j^ards away, but I could find no 
one where the speaker seemed to be. I knew that 
many Indians spoke Spanish, and I aroused my com- 
panions and we scouted the vicinity thoroughly but 
could find no one. The voice continued to sound at 
intervals, in different directions, always speaking in 
Spanish. We began to think the place was haunted. 
I slept no more that night, but nothing untoward oc- 
curred. While drinking our coffee the next morning 
and discussing the events of the night, I noticed that 
one of the Atascosa men, George Powers by name, 
could scarcely control his risibilities. He finally ex- 
ploded and told us that he was a ventriloquist and 
had been amusing himself at our expense that night. 
We took the matter good naturedly, but when we 
reached the little town of Castroville we nearly bank- 
rupted Mr. Powers making him 'set 'em up' to us. 

"The Medina river has its source about thirty miles 
above the town of Bandera. When I entered the ran- 
ger service early in 1864, the head of the Medina was 
a rendezvous or gathering place for the Indians, a 
large body of whom would assemble tliere, and then 
dividuig into b'mall parties, would raid the country to 



'B4^ Pioneer ttistory of Bandeta County 

the south, going hy different routes and returning, 
meet again at the rendezvous. 

"On one occasion, with my entire detachment I was 
camped on the Verde Creek, not far from the old mil- 
itary post of Camp Verde, which at that time was not 
occupied. We had been there several days, and one 
afternoon one of our scouts come in and reported hav- 
ing discovered a fresh Indian trail going south, some 
miles to the east of our camp, the Indians probably 
intending to pass down between the Hondo and the 
Medina. A little later two more scouts came in and 
reported having found two other trails going south, 
some distance apart, and several miles to the west of 
our camp. I knew how useless it would be to attempt 
to follow these trails in all their windings and turnings 
and feeling sure that the Indians making these differ- 
ent trails had divided at the rendezvous and would 
meet there again as they went out. Accordingly we 
moved to the head of the Medina, where we kept as 
closely concealed as possible, carefully scouting the 
country in the vicinity, and keeping a close lookout 
for Indian signal smokes to the south and west. 

*'We had been in our position four or five days 
when one day some of our scouts reported having seen 
a signal smoke to the east of our camj), and the same 
day 1 discovered two signal smokes to the west> and 
some distance apart. We felt sure that these smokes 
indicated that three parties of Indians were returning 
to the rendezvous, the route each party was pursuing 
gradually converging. We also felt sure that each 
party was still some distance away, that being so far 
•fi'om any settlement they felt comfortably secure from 
pursuit, iaii'd \vb'uld c^ainp Avhei^e iilght c'\'ert'c^ok I hem 



Pioneer History of Bandera County S4S 

and not attempt to reach the rendezvous until the 
following day; and we also knew that the rate of speed 
at which they would travel would depend largely upon 
the number of stolen horses they were driving. T held 
a consultation with our old trailer, Macedonio Del- 
gado, and several other experienced frontiersmen, and 
we determined to start to meet the party that had 
made the signal smoke the furtherest to the west. I 
do not know why we came to this decision, but as the 
sequel proved, it was fortunate that we did so. The 
sun was about three hours high when w^e started, and 
we kept our movements concealed as much as possible 
by taking advantage of brushy sections of the country 
as well of the many hills in that mountainous region, 
all of which was covered with a growth of scrub tim- 
ber. Shortly before sundown, by the aid of my glass, 
I discovered two more signal smokes much nearer to- 
gether than the first two I had seen to the west, whicli 
indicated that the two parties were gradually (h'awing 
nearer together, and our object had l)ecn to meet one 
of the ])arties before they formed a junction. Wc 
waited until night had fallen, and then cautiously ad- 
vanced in the direction of where we had seen the last 
smoke. Our scouts felt sure that tlie Indians were not 
more than ten miles away, and we kept a sharp look- 
out for their camp fires. We had proceeded probably 
ten miles when we discovered five or six fires and then 
we knew the Indians had gone into camp for the night. 
We approached as near as possible without detection, 
and then Macedonio and myself proceeded on foot to 
rcconnoiter. We approached the camp so closely that 
we distinctly heard the sound of female voices speak- 
ing in Spauj-fh, aa well as the SQuud of childrcii Ci';fiiig, 



^^44 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

and we knew that the Indians had taken several cap- 
tives, and we judged that there were fifty or sixty 
warriors in the camp, which proved that the two par- 
ties had come together. We also plainly saw in the 
moonlight a large bunch of liorses which was being 
herded by six or eight Indians. We watched the camp 
until everything became quiet, then returned to our 
companions. All but three sentinels lay down to 
sleep, for we intended to attack the camp at daylight 
As there were so many Indians together, we knew they 
would not be in a great hurry about breaking camp 
in the morning. 

"Shortly before daylight 1 aroused my companions; 
we mounted and approached the Indian camp until 
we were within about 300 yards of it. Then we di- 
vided into two parties, intending to attack from two 
directions. The number of Indians was more than 
double that of my detachment, but our superior arms 
gave us a great advantage. When it was good light 
I gave the signal to charge by firing a shot from my 
pistol. The Indians were taken completely by sur- 
prise, and at the point where my party struck the 
camp they scattered at the first onslaught, leaving 
three women tied to as many trees. One of the war- 
riors as he passed near one of the women tried to kill 
her with a knife, intlicting an ugly wound in her shoul- 
der. I was close to them at the time and by a lucky 
shot I made a good Indian of that particular warrior 
as he was in the act of striking a second blow at the 
woman. The fight was a hot one, but was of short 
duration. No party of Indians that ever raided the 
Texas frontier could stand the fire of six-shooters at 
close range. We"*stampcded the herd of liorseb and 



Pioneer History of Bamlcra CoTuity 



^U 



later gathered up forty or fifty head of them. The 
fight was scarcely over when John and George Bell, 
with four Mexicans, came dashing into the camp. It 
developed that the three women we had found in the 
camp were the wives of the two brothers and one of 
their vaqueros, and each of the women had a child 
about two years old. The Indians had attacked the 
Bell ranch near Laredo five days before, when all of 
the men were away four or five iiiiles from the ranch, 
where they had rounded up a bunch of cattle. On 
their return, about the middle oC the afternoon, they 
at once took the trail with all the men on the place. 
We had three men killed and four wounded. We 
found nine dead Indians, but of course we never knew 
how many were wounded. Mtogether we considered 
it a pretty good day's work." 




School House on Middle Verde Creek 



,?4^ Pi on OPT Hif^tory of Bdndova Coiuiti/ 

FIRST COMMISSIONERS' COURT, 

The first Commissioners' Court of Bandera comity 
met on March 21, 1856, according to records on file 
in the county clerk's office. Present wereO. B. Miles, 
chief justice; William Ballantyne, William Curtis and 
William Ramsey, commissioners; \. Hoffman, sheriff; 
J. W. P'l^oole, clerk. Bonds of the following officers 
were approved: August Klappenbach, clerk of the 
district court; F. W. Davidson, justice of the peace, 
Precinct No. 1; F. L. Hicks, justice of the peace, 
Precinct No. 2; I. F. Carter, assessor and collector; 
Gideon Carter, county treasurer. 

In the minutes of the Commissioners' Court, of 
May 20, 1856, appears the following: "Ordered by 
the court that F. W. Davidson. J. P., having abscond- 
ed, his office as justice of the peace for Precinct No. 1 
be declared vacant from and after this date." It is 
only right to add that some time thereafter the court 
entered a modification to this order by inserting in 
the minutes: "It is not meant by 'absconded' that 
F. W. Davidson had left with money belonging to 
said office, for money he had not." 

The sheriff's bond was $200, and the district clerk's 
bond was 1100. In the minutes of the court July 26, 
1856, number of poll taxes reported was 38; state 
taxes collected, $45.83; county taxes, $23.04. 

August 18, 1856, Charles de Montel filed in the 
county clerk's oflSce a map of the town of Bandera. 

On December 6, 1856, it was ordered by the court 
"Charles de Montel is hereby authorized to locate 
and survey all lands appropriated for school purposes 
by the state for use of this county, for which he is 



Pioneer History of Bander (i County 24-7 

to receive SI 00 per league and ten per cent interest 
until paid." 

February 16, 1857, the Commissioners selected and 
approved the following list of grand jurors: F. L. 
Hicks, Gideon Carter, I. F. Carter, P. D. Saner, A. 
Moncur, R. Ballantyne. J. Williams, M. Curtis, C. 
O. Isham, Spencer Smith, J. 1>. L. Gressman, A. 
Hawley, J. Ballantyne, ¥. M. Andrews, J. C'urtis, L. 
L. Wight, B. Bird, C. Montague, i\. W. Bird, I*. 
Moncur. 



MONUMENT STILL STANDS. 

In 1873 a law was passed providing that a monu- 
ment be set up at each county seat to establish the 
true meridian, from which to get bearings and secure 
uniformity of all surveys. Chas. Montague, Sr., com- 
plying with the provisions of this law, that same year 
placed a monument on the public square, showing 
the true north line, and that monument is still stand- 
ing. Many people living in Bandera today do not 
know why this monument was placed there. While 
it has withstood the elements for half a century, the 
monument is in fair condition, but steps should be 
taken to preserve it for ages. 



'2Ji.8 PloiiiPpr HiMnry of Band era County 

RESCUED THREE. CHILDREN. 

Another one of Taylor Thompson's narratives is 
as follows: 

In the early autumn of 1862 with a detachment of 
sixteen rangers, I followed an Indian trail away out 
somewhere to the northwest of old Fort Mason. We 
were not familiar with that section of country, and I 
did not know just where we were when we abandoned 
the trail and gave up the pursuit. Fort Mason is 
forty-five miles from the German town of Fredericks- 
burg. Kerrville and Comfort were settled at first ex- 
clusively by Germans. They we^e a hardy class of 
settlers who came to that new country and some of 
them more bold and daring than others, had settled 
on ranches adjacent to the villages named, along the 
the beautiful streams and vallej^s in that section and 
these isolated ranches as well as the villages them- 
selves at the time of the settlement, and for mahy 
years afterward, were subject to frequent raids and 
incursions from hostile bands of Indians. It is well 
known that the early German settlers of that section 
made several different treaties with the Comanche 
Indians by which they hoped to enjoyed immunity 
from Indian depredations. It is also well known that 
the Comanche Indians were never good hands to 
keep treaties. They were wont to abide by the terms 
of the treaty when it was to their own advantage but 
when they saw an opportunity to rob and plunder a 
German ranch and thought they could escape with 
the booty a little thing like a treaty did not count 
for much with them. 

At the time we abandoned the Indian trail above 



Pioneer History of Bandera County ^4-9 

spoken of our horses were much jaded and we were 
out of meat and the first place we came to where 
water and grass was plentiful and game abundant we 
went into camp for five or six days in order to recup- 
erate our horses and kill and dry enough meat to last 
us back to our own homes. We remained there five 
days and when we started back I determined to pass 
tne town of Bandera, which is situated on the bank 
of the Medina river, which heads above the now 
thriving town of that name. But the country around 
the head of the river was then wholly unsettled and 
it was said that the head of the Medina was a rendez- 
vous for Indians; that when coming down upon the 
settlements during a raid they came in large bands 
together, divided up into smaller parties there, raiding 
into different sections of the country and meeting 
there again as they went out. 

We camped one night about ten miles below the 
head of the river, and about twenty miles from the 
town of Bandera. WV had seen no Indians nor In- 
dian signs since we had started on our return, but of 
course we kept a vigilant lookout on our horses when 
we camped at night. There being fifteen of us to- 
gether we had no fear of an attack, the only real 
danger being that the Indians might stampede our 
horses at night. I should have stated that the town 
of Bandera was settled originally by Mormons, that 
some thirty miles below on the same stream was the 
town of Castroville, which was for many years the 
county seat of Medina county and was settled ex- 
clusively by Germans, while there were a few German 
ranches near the town as was the case near the other 
German settlements. On the night in question the 



^''^0 Pioneer History of Bajidera County 

moon was past the full and shone brightly at intervals, 
being occasionally obscured by drifting clouds, in fact 
the weather reminded one of what the old settlers 
called a weather breeder. There was not a settlement 
within twenty miles of where we were camped and 
about 10 o'clock I was making the round alone among 
the horses and when approaching a small thicket of 
bushes, T heard a voice distinctly saying, "Say, 
Mister, stop!" Of course I promptly halted and 
asked who was there. The voice replied, "Mister, 
you're a white man ain't you.'*" I replied in the af- 
firmative and told the speaker to come out and he 
should not be hurt. Whereupoh two small boj^s 
emerged from the thicket and approached holding 
each other's hand. I took them back to camp and 
then began to questioned them. The elder said he 
was 11 years old, that his name was Fritz Krawitz, 
that his little brother aged 8 was named Willie; that 
the Indians had come to his father's ranch about ten 
miles from Castroville three or four nights before, 
while his moth-'^r was attending a sick neighbor. The 
father was at home with these two and a little girl of 
6. That the Indians had killed his father, and car- 
ried off the three children. The boy said the Indians 
had camped, he thought, not more than three miles 
from us and that he and his little brother had found 
an opportunity soon after dark of stealing out of 
camp; that he hated to leave his little sister, but she 
was not near them at the time and these two little 
children had stolen out into the wilderness not know- 
ing where they were, and only intent upon escaping 
from their captors. 

I asked Fritz how many Indians he thought there 



Pioneer History of Bandera County ^51 

were in the party and he said he thought about 
thirty. When asked if he thought he could find the 
camp again, ]ie said lie believed he could. Justo 
Rodriguez, my corporal, old Macedonia, the trailer, 
and myself, held a hasty council of war and when I 
had interpreted to them all Fritz had told me, we de- 
termined to attempt the rescue of the little girl, 
though we had no doubt but that the Indian camp 
would be astir owing to their having missed the two 
boys. 

Fortune favored us for though the little boy was 
unable to locate the camp himself we accidentally 
came upon it and found it more quiet than we had ex- 
pected. The fact was, tnough we did not know it 
then, a portion, probably one-half, of the band were 
scouring the adjacent woods and brush for the fugi- 
tives, and it seemed almost miraculous that we had 
not encountered any of these. We stopped about 
four hundred Awards from the camp and Macedonia 
and 1 went cautiously forward through the brush to 
reconnoiter. We heard the little girl crying but 
could form little idea of the number of Indians there 
were in camp. Returning I left the little boy with 
two men to guard him behind some rocks and divid- 
ing the remaining fourteen into two parties we ap- 
proached the camp from different directions as cau- 
tiously as possible. We had probably got within 
thirty or forty steps of the camp before we were dis- 
covered. Then the Indian lookout or sentinel gave 
a whoop and then we all dashed into the camp with 
a yell. By rare good fortune one of the men came 
to the child when there was no Indian nearer than ten 
or fifteen steps of her. Of course several had been left 



252 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

to guard her, but had evidently left their post for 
some purpose. There was a quick, sharp skirmish for 
five or ten minutes and then all the warriors who were 
able took to the brush. The only wonder was that 
they stood as long as they did, for they never ccmld 
stand firearms at close range. We had the little girl, 
however, and hastily started for where we had left 
our horses. Macedonio, however, stayed behind long 
enough to count the dead Indians, and said be found 
six lying among the trees. One of my men was killed 
and five wounded slightly in the skirmish. 

In the meantime we heard horses coming toward 
us from different directions and we then knew that a 
part of the Indians had been out hunting for the 
missing boys. Our own dead comrade had been car- 
ried back to where we had left the horses and we re- 
mained where we were until daylight. Macedonia 
dressed the wounds of the five men, and the dead 
man was buried there, the grave being scooped out 
with hatchets and bowie knives. Five days later we 
delivered the three children to their parents, the 
father not having been killed as Fritz thought, though 
he was severely wounded. 

Altogether we had made a pretty good night's 
work of it, for we had rescued the three children, had 
made six "good" Indians, as General Sheridan would 
have called them, and the morning after the fight we 
gathered up eight or ten horses before we left the 
scene. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 253 

JUDGE F. W. DOROW. 

One of the substantial citizens of Bandera county 
for manj' years was Judge F. W. Dorow, who died in 
Bandera October 18, 1921. Judge Dorow was born 
in Germany January 3, 1845, and came to America 
when he was seven years of age, his parents settling 
at New Braunfels, Texas. When he was seventeen 
years old he enlisted in the Confederate Army and 
served on the Mexican border and along the Gulf of 
Mexico during the war. He was married in 1869 to 
Miss Lena Voges at New Braunfels, and moved to 
Helotes Creek, near the present Helotes store and 
lived there until 1872, when he located on Pipe Creek 
where he resided until 1918. Here he raised his fam- 
ily, and when his children had all grown up, married 
and had homes of their own, he sold the old home 
place and went to live among his children. Mrs. 
Dorow died December 23. 1899. Surviving are the 
following children: W. V. Dorow of Beaumont; H. 
A. Dorow of San Antonio; A. E. Dorow of Utopia; 
Mrs. A. L. Mansfield. Mrs. A. Meadows, Mrs. D. W. 
Buck of Bandera, and Mrs. H. J. Babbitt of I'ipc 
Creek. 

Judge Dorow was a member oi" tlie Masonic fra- 
ternity for more than forty years and in his dealings 
with mankind he exemplified the principles of that 
great order. He was a member of the Twenty-third 
Legislature, and served as County Judge of Bandera 
count}^ for four years. He also served as justice of 
the peace and county commissioner from the Pipe 
Creek precinct for many years. Always a staunch 
friend to the schools, and an exponent of civic ad- 



254- Pioneer Bistory of Bandera County 

vancement, his work is still apparent on every hand 
and will be in evidence for many years to come. 
With his passing Bandera county lost one of her most 
honored citizens, and one whose place will be hard to 
fill, because men of such lofty ideals as Judge Dorow 
possessed are scarce the world over. 



A. L. SCOTT. 

A. L. Scott came to Texas from Virginia in the 
early eighties and located in Karnes county. Mem- 
bers of his family contracted malaria and he sought 
the mountains of Bandera to aid them in recovering 
health. For many years he resided here, following the 
occupation of school teacher, and was for a number 
of years surveyor of this county, and owned a small 
farm just across the river from Bandera. Mr. Scott 
died several years ago, leaving a widow and seven 
children. Mrs. Scott now lives in San Antonio, and 
often visits Bandera. The names of the children are: 
A. L. Scott, Jr., now living in Central America; Mrs. 
Gussie Chancy of San Antonio; Miss Frances Scott, 
executive of Y. W. C. A. work at San Antonio; 
Dunklin Scott, civil engineer with headquarters in 
San Antonio; Mrs. Sadie Dullnig of San Antonio; 
Richmond Scott, engaged in the brokerage business 
in San Antonio; Herbert Scott, civil engineer employ- 
ed by the City of San Antonio. 



Pioneei'lBi story' of Bandera County 
J. F. TAIT. 



255 



J. F. Tait was born in St. Louis Mo., in 1861, and 
came to Bandera county in 1882 when he located at 
Medina and opened a blacksmith shop. He remained 
there until 1899, then moved to Bandera to establish 
a shop in this city. He was married to Miss Eliza- 
beth Rankin January 16, 1889, and they have two 
children, Lieut. George R. Tait of Brownsville, and 
Mrs. Cleora Risinger of San Antonio. Mr. Tait has 
built up a substantial business since coming to Ban- 
dera, and is one of the best known men in the county. 
He owns the Southwestern Telephone sj^stem here 
which has over 150 miles of lines and over 200 subscri- 
bers in the county besides long distance connection 
with outside points. 




f rivileg© School Houso, Built b^ Tolly Rodriguez. 



S56 Pioneer Bistory of Bandera County 

THE STANARD FAMILY. 

In the spring of 1871 Harvey A. Stanard, with his 
wife and two small children, came to Bandera county 
in a hack, and located on Laxson's Creek. They had 
started to Bandera from Cedar llapids, Iowa, seek- 
ing a change of climate on account of Mr. Stanard's 
health. En route to this county they tarried for a 
short time at Waxahachie, where the second child, 
now Mrs. Leora Stiles, was born. As soon as the 
family located on Laxson's Creek the Indians came 
and stole the only team of horses Mr. Stanard pos- 
sessed, leaving him afoot. But with the true pioneer 
spirit he set about to improve his homestead with the 
means at hand. He procured a yoke of steers and 
with these he broke the ground which he had cleared 
for a little farm. For many years he and his faithful 
wife struggled along, and aided in every way in the 
development of the community, and the Stanard 
home became noted far and wide for its hospitality. 

Harvey A. Stanard was born in Virginia, March 
26, 1842, and was one of thirteen children. From 
Virginia his parents moved to Illinios and lived near 
Nauvoo City. Later they came to Texas and settled 
at Old Helena, in Karnes county, where Harvey Stan- 
ard grew to manhood. He was married to Miss Sarah 
Kathrine Lewis, and went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to 
locate, but after spending some time there his health 
failed, and he decided to come back to Texas. Seven 
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stanard, namely: 
Mrs. Cleora Browning, lives at Medina; Mrs. Leora 
Stiles, lives at Winslow, Arizona, but at present is 
sojourning in Medina; AVarren AYilJiam Stanard, died 



Pioneer History of Bandera County ^57 

at Medina in 1904; Mrs. Maude Newcomer died at 
Medina in 1918; Mrs. Ada Mae Nesting, lives at Win- 
slow, Arizona; Lillie Lewis Stanard. died at Medina 
in 1885; Harvey A. Stanard, Jr., died at Nixon, De- 
cember 7, 1914. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey A. Stanard died at Medina, 
January 6, 1901, within just a few hours of each other. 
Both father and mother had been sick with pneu- 
monia only a few days. In the family burial ground 
at the old home on Laxson's Creek they sleep side by 
side, and those of their children who have passed on 
to the eternal home, rest near them. 

It is correctly said that Mrs. Stanard was a true 
type of the frontier mother. She was born in Iowa 
October 9, 1845, and came to Texas with her father, 
Levi Lewis, wiien she was quite small. Her mother 
died aiid her father came to the Lone Star State with 
his children and located in Atascosa county, and when 
Sarah Lewis grew to womanhood she was happily 
married to Harvey Stanard, as previously stated. 
When Mrs. Stanard came to Bandera county she saw 
the need of religious influences on tne sparsely settled 
frontier, and accordingly she set about to provide re- 
ligious teaching in her little log cabin home, where she 
she invited the neighbors to come in and be taught. 
A little Sunday school was started there, and in this 
work she was ably assisted by Dr. Hudspeth of Ban- 
dera, who was there every Lord's Day to help the de- 
vout woman plant the cause of Christ in that com- 
munity. She had been an orphan herself, and natur- 
ally her sympathies went out to the motherless boys 
and girls of the land, and on more than one occasion 
she took orphaned children under her care and gaVc 



S58 • Pioneer History of Bandera County 

them that tender love which only a mother bestows. 
Among these orphaned children who came to her was 
H. E. Rambie, who is today a prominent ranchman 
of Bandera county. While a small bo}^ Ed Rambie 
became a member of the Stanard household and lived 
there as one of the family until he was grown, receiv- 
ing the love and admonition which that good mother 
gave to her own children, and today when he speaks 
of her it is to utter blessings and praise to her dear 
name. A little log school house was finally erected 
on Laxson's Creek, and here Mrs. Stanard taught 
school for many years, instilling into the minds of her 
pupils the knowledge which has m^ade some of them 
leaders in the affairs of today. After a time the pio- 
neer preachers began coming along, and church ser- 
vices were held in the little school house. Jack Potter, 
tlic ''fighting parson," was among these early preach- 
ers, and the first time he stopped overnight at the 
Stanard home Mr. Stanard was absent. After supper 
family prayers were conducted, and Rev. Potter, as 
was his custom, prayed for God's blessing to rest upon 
llic lumscliold, .'iiid in liis rcr\'(Mil pciilioii lie ;isked the 
Lord lo ''bless lliis poor widow and I he lillle orphan 
ehih:lren who had l>eeii deprived of i\ husband's and 
father's losing care." The good preacher did not 
learn until the next morning at the breakfast table 
that Mrs. Stanard was not a widow and her children 
were not orphans. 

As their children grew up it was the hope of this 
pioneer couple to give them all of the educational 
advantages their circumstances would allow. They 
sent their eldest daughter. Miss Cleora Stanard, and 
F(i Rambie \6 Ad Ran College at Thorp Sp'rings, and 



Pioneer History of Bandera County ^59 

kept the other children in school as long as possible. 
Limited means, and living in a remote region proved 
quite an obstacle in the carrying out of their plans to 
a great extent. Gradually their children grew to 
manhood and womanliood. Miss Cleora Stanard 
married James E, Browning, has a beautiful home in 
Medina; Miss Leora Stanard married Barnett Stiles. 
He died September 27, 1914, on a railway train in 
New Mexico, and is buried at AVinslow, Arizona. 
Miss Maude Stanard married Joe Newcomer, and 
died in 1918, leaving four children, Ethel Maude, 
Mattie Mae, Joe Harvey and Leora Joyce. Miss Ada 
Mae Stanard married Charles O. Nesting, and tliey 
have two children, Charles Stanard and Anna Mac. 
Harvey A. Stanard. Jr., married Miss Alta Freeman, 
and to them were born three children, Warren Web- 
ster, Cleora Alice and Floy Harvey; Mrs. Freeman 
now lives at Ecla, Texas. 

Mrs. Barnett Stiles, like her sainted mother, has 
proven herself a friend to orphan children. Some 
years ago she gave a home to a lilllc ()ri)han boy, 
Cecil Thomas Carr by naiuc\ and today tlie hul is a 
student in the Medical Department of tlic Universily 
of Texas. He is making good, and all who know him 
predict a great future for the ambitious boy, and a 
reward of obedience and gratitude for the worthy 
foster mother. 



260 Pioneer Mistory of Bandera County 

IKE STEVENS, SR. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Arkansas 
August 14, 1847, and came to Texas with his parents 
when he was quite a boy. He lived in Bandera 
county many years and was well known to all of the 
early settlers. For twelve years he served as sheriff 
of this count3^ discharging the duties of that office in 
a fearless and satisfactory manner, and proving him- 
self a man capable of dealing with the lawless element 
that sometimes invaded this region. When his health 
began to fail he moved to El Paso, in 1910, where he 
had two sons, Ike and Robert Stevens, on the police 
force in that city, and while he was there he was 
killed by a train when he was crossing the Southern 
Pacific railroad tracks. His remains were brought to 
Bandera for burial. 

During the early days Mr. Stevens was a member 
of Robert Ballantync's company of rangers, and spent 
a great deal of time trailing and fighting Indians who 
came down into this county on their raids. 

Mr. Stevens was married lo Miss Agnes Brown, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Brown, early settlers 
on the frontier. To them were born twelve children, 
eight of whom are still living, namely: Allie Stevens, 
lives on Mason Creek; Mrs. Laura Tait, lives at Mo- 
renci, Arizona; Robert H. Stevens, lives at San An- 
tonio; Ike Stevens, Jr., lives in Bandera, Mrs. Velma 
Barrett, lives in San Antonio; Mrs. Jessie Barrett, 
lives in San Antonio: Mrs. Mary iNIullins, lives in 
San Antonio; Mrs. Edna Powell, lives in San Antonio. 
Mrs. Stevens, the mother, also lives in San Antonio. 
Sh^ frerfirently comes to Bnnrlera and it is a great 



Pioneer Historjj of Bandera County 261 

pleasure to her many old time friends for lier to visit 
them. Mrs. Stevens ran relate manj^ thrilling? inci- 
dents that occurred here in the early days, as well as 
many things things that happened in Kendall county 
where her parents former)}' resided. Her pioneer 
mother, Mrs. Brown, saw an Indian prowling about 
tlie premises one night trying to steal a horse, and 
she fired a bullet into the redskin's body that sent 
him off howling with pain. During the gold excite- 
ment in California Mr. Brown took his family to the 
Golden State, but later returned to Texas. 



SAN ANTONIO TRADING POINT. 

From the beginning of Bandera's history, San An- 
tonio has been the chief trading point for all of this 
vast region. The distance from Bandera to that city 
is fifty miles, and in the early days a round trip could 
be made with an ox-team in seven days. Today the 
round trip can be made in a Ford automobile in seven 
hours. In those days shingle-making was the chief 
industry, and the shingles were hauled to San Antonio 
and marketed. Today many of Bandera county's 
products are hauled hy truck to the San Antonio 
market. 



^62 Piniioer History of Band cm County 

A POLLY RODRIGUEZ STORY. 

The following sketch is taken from a book written 
b3r Jose Policarpo Rodriguez, a pioneer of this region: 

' V\e wer.t i.iintii.ir oFiCe from San Antonio to Ban- 
dera county. We had four horses and six dogs. We 
killed se^'eral deer, a number of turkeys, one bear, and 
cut several bee trees. We found a bunch of wild 
cattle, most of them black or brown. We got after 
one and killed her. Lynn had an eight-shooter pistol 
he had made himself, a rifle and a pair of holsters; I 
had a rifle, a six-shooter, and a pair of holsters. We 
fired twenty shots into the body of that black cow 
before we killed her. Then we camped in a clump of 
small trees, prepared our supper, fed our dogs plenty 
of beef, and laid down to rest. Suddenly the dogs 
jumped up and ran out as if some one were coming, 
and we heard somebody talking low. We thought it 
was Indians, and we hissed on the dogs in English and 
they ran out farther barking furiously as if they had 
something at bay. We hallooed loud and hissed the 
dogs. The Indians could not see how many there 
were of us, and no doubt thought our crowd was large. 
They stayed around us all night, but feared to make 
a charge. They made all kinds of animal calls and 
cries, sometimes barking like wolves, then hooting 
like owls, fighting like cats or quacking like ducks. 
They thus tried to decoy us out or get us to expose 
ourselves, but we lay low. The Indians were all 
afoot, and there must have been twenty or thirty of 
tbem, as the trail would indicate. Just before day- 
light we heard them leave. After we found that they 
were afoot we decided to follow them, and found 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 26o 

where they had killed a deer. They carried awaj'' 
every particle of the deer except the heart. We fol- 
lowed this trail until we saw their smoke rising from 
a little hill, and decided there were too many of them 
to attack, although we were well mounted and armed. 
They went on, and we thought it best to go home. 
We learned later that this same party of Indians had 
killed four men, (icrmans, who were campeil on Ihe 
Medina making shingles. They cut open lli 'ir breasts 
and took out their hearts. They seemed to have 
some superstition about the heart, for they left the 
deer's heart but cut out and carried away the hearts 
of the men. 

"Jacob Lynn and I, with a number c^f others, 
went hunting on the Medina Christmas, 1847. I took 
an ox cart to haul our game. Game was plentiful, and 
we had wonderful success. 

While my father lived on the Medina I was once 
going to San Antonio with a load of wood. My aunt 
accompanied me. "My dog scented the trail of some 
animal and, following it, began to bark. I took my 
gun and found that he had treed a large panther in 
a willow tree which overhung the Leon Creek. I 
took aim at his head and fired. It was not a dead 
shot and the animal dropped into the water, which 
was deep at that place. My dog jumped in after it, 
and they clinched and both sank. To save my dog I 
jumped in tlie water. When they came up the dog 
swam one way and the panther the other. I caught 
the panther by the tail and lifted it up so as to sink 
his head, and we swam around and around, he trying 
to get at me. I got to where I could stand on the 
bottom, and holding up his tail, I soon drowned him 
and took his hide." 



264 Pioneer History of Bandera Comity 

THE KILLING OF NICHOLSON. 

WKrrTEN BY CAPTAIN Si:CO SMITH, MKDINA, TEXAS 

I will here give you an account of the killing of an 
old man by the name of Nicholson, which occurred 
about four miles above Kerrville some time in 1859. 
The year 1857 was very dry, and in many parts of 
the country the streams dried up and people had to 
move their stock on account of the drouth. At that 
time stock raising was the principal business. In the 
following years, 1858 and 1859, a great many of the 
stockmen had to move their stock to where there was 
permanent water, and Nicholson, who was living on 
the Cibolo during the drouth, gathered his stock and 
moved up on the Guadalupe about four miles above 
where Kerrville now stands. He had four grown 
daughters, all good riders and experienced in working 
with stock and inured to outdoor life. They wore 
six-shooters, and were not afraid to use them. 

I met Nicholson after he had moved up there, and 
he gave me such a fine description of that country I 
concluded to visit him, and shortly afterw^ard I went 
up there. As there were no roads in that region, I 
missed Nicholson's ranch and went some three or four 
miles beyond and came to a camp where three men 
were making shingles. It being late in the afternoon 
I spent the night with these men, and next morning I 
went to Nicholson's camp. The old man and his 
family seemed very glad to see me, and I had a most 
enjoyable visit. During the time I was there, Mr. 
Nicholson showed me the country. It was a wild, 
beautiful region, abounding with game of all kinds, 
and frequently visited by Indians. I noticed that the 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 2Go 

old man seemed careless and did not use caution in 
going about. I called his attention to his apparent 
carelessness, and told him that in that country 
it was very necessary to keep his eyes and ears open, 
see and hear everything, observe all signs, and be 
ready at all times for a fight; that in going about he 
would have to double back, cross his own trail, and 
frequently look back to see if Indians were following 
him. The old man did not seem to think so much 
caution was necessary, and was inclined to laugh at 
my fears for his safety. I left his camp on Tuesday 
for my home, and on Thursday followiiig I heard he 
had been killed bj^ the Indians. So far as I know he 
was the first man killed in Kerr countv. 




Bandera Methodist Church. 



SGG Pioneer History of Baiulera County 

WOLF AND HOFFMAN KILLED. 

WKJT'l'KNMiY CAi'TAlN SECO SMITH, MKDINA, TKXAS 

We had captured a bunch of horses from a part}^ 
of Indians and returned to D'Hanis with them, and 
put them in a corral adjoining Joseph Ney's store and 
saloon. I then went to my ranch to look after things 
there and did not get back until ten o'clock the next 
morning. When I got back I found the stock gone. 
The Indians had torn down a part of the corral and 
taken the horses while the parties tliat were left to 
guard them were in the saloon playing cards. I got 
the men together and took the trail and we followed 
it until night, then camped. As we were not far be- 
hind the Indians we did not build a campfire for fear 
it would reveal our presence. At dajdight next morn- 
ing we pushed on and after going six or seven miles 
we found where they had killed a Mexican who was 
in the employ of Ross Kenedy. We followed on the 
trail to the Sabinal and from there it led across to the 
Blanco Canyon. About a mile beyond the Sabinal 
we came to a large live oak tree and in that tree w^e 
found a dead Indian hanging by the neck, in his war 
paint, with his bow and quiver and a large shield on 
him. The tree had lots of arrow spikes in it, and 
broken arrows were hwing around, showing a hard 
fight had taken place there. About 200 yards from 
the tree, and down in the Sabinal valley, we saw two 
objects and wlien we approached nearer we discovered 
these objects were the bodies of a man named Wolf 
and a man named Hoffman. They had not been 
scalped, but AVolf's throat had been cut. Indications 
showed that the two men had made a heroic stand at 



Pioneer History of Bandvra Coiivfy f?07 

the big tree, but had left there to get to a point of 
timber which offered better protection, but when they 
reached open ground the Indians closed in on them 
;iiid kill('(l I hem. TToO'mnn likely fell first, and Wolf 
killed the Indian we found in the tree. We sent a 
man back to D'llanis to notify our people to come 
and get the bodies, and again took the trail. When 
we had gone about ten miles we met a party of scouts 
from Uvalde who informed us that they had surprised 
the Indians at the edge of a big cedar brake in the 
Blanco Canj^on where they had killed a beef and were 
making preparations for a feast. The Indians fled 
into the cedar brake, and the rangers got the horses, 
saddles and pistols belonging to Wolf and Hoffman. 
We returned to where we had left the bodies, and soon 
others came and the dead men were taken to D'Hanis 
for burial. 

Joseph Wolf, a brother to one of the murdered 
men, was my neighbor, and while he was out on a 
cow hunt shortly after his brother was killed, the In- 
dians got after him and ran him all day. I had gone 
to San Antonio and when I returned he told me about 
the race the Indians gave nim, and said, "Smith, I 
thought of you many times that day, and wished you 
were with me." On another occasion he joined a 
party that was trailing a bunch of Indians, and when 
they overtook them a fight ensued. An Indian squaw 
made signs to the white men tluit she was a sc|uaw. 
Wolf shot her down, and when one of his comrades 
told him he ought not shoot the s(|uaw. Wolf said: 
"Why she would have raised more little Indians to 
bother us." 



36S Pioneer History of Bandera County 

MRS. T. M. WELDON. 

One of the dear old mothers of Bandera today is 
Mrs. T. M. Weldon, who has dwelt here for nearly 
half a century, witnessing the many changes that have 
taken place. Her recollection of early events and 
her remembrance of the friends of those days are 
vividly recalled, and she talks of them in a manner 
most pleasing. When she came to this county with 
her husband in 1876, Bandera was only a small vil- 
lage, and the county's population amounted to only a 
few hundred souls. She was born at Denmark, near 
Jackson, Tennessee, June 7, 1837, and grew to woman- 
hood the^'c. In March, 1860, she was happily married 
to J. F. Weldon, in Ballard countj^ Kentucky, and 
in 1864 they came to Texas and located in Goliad 
count}', where Mr. Weldon engaged in the sheep busi- 
ness. After remaining there a few years he moved 
his flocks to Bandera county and leased range on the 
James ranch, now owned by J. A. Miller, amounting 
to 3,000 or 4,000 acres for which lease he paid $100 
per annum. When the family moved to Bandera 
they occupied a house — later destroyed by fire — near 
the Chas. Montague home. Later Mr. Weldon built 
the pretty farm home which is now owned by Alex 
Adamietz, northeast of the city, and the family lived 
there for many years. 

Mr. Weldon's father was one of the Kentucky pio- 
neers, and helped to blaze the way for civilization in 
the Blue Grass state, and when the son emigrated to 
Texas he likewise became a pioneer. He followed 
sheepraising on an extensive scale, and portions of 
the ranch he owned now belong to J. W. Short and 



Tioneer" Bistory of Bandera County 2G9 

A. Habenicht. E. E. Sawyer, now a prominent sheep- 
man and financier of West Texas, at one time herded 
sheep for Mr. Weldon. 

Mrs. Weldon, in speaking of the oUI homestead 
northeast of town, said it was a most delightful spot, 
and she spent manj^ happy years there. She knew 
nearly all of the older pioneers of those days, only a 
few of whom are left, and among these few she men- 
tioned Uncle Frank Langford, Aunt Mary Hudspeth, 
J. P. Heinen, Sr., Amasa Clark, and several others. 
She says that when she came to Bandera there was 
not a cistern in the town, the water being hauled from 
the river in barrels, on push carts, by Polish citizens 
and sold for fifteen cents per barrel. Three public 
school houses have been built in Bandera since she 
came here. The first was moved off to make room 
for a larger one and now forms a part of Ed Clark's 
dwelling. The second was torn down and the lumber 
was used in the construction of the present imposing 
school building. When she came here there was no 
Protestant church building in the village, and the 
first preaching she remembers attending here was 
in a liltlc building which luid a dirl floor. Rev. 
Kingsbury was the first Methodist minister to locate 
in Bandera. The Methodists erected their church 
building in 1882, and some years afterward the house 
was remodeled and enlarged to its present size. Mrs. 
Weldon knew Andrew Jackson Potter, ''the Fighting 
Parson," and he was often a guest in their home. 
In 1900 the family again moved to town. Mr. W el- 
don's health failed, and ho died June 14, 190S. Be- 
sides the widow, two daughters survive, Mrs. Liz3ie 
C<>H'^''t)^ Comstock. and Miss May Weldon of Bandera. 



270 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

Mrs. Weldon has in her possession several copies 
of Bandera's first newspaper, the Bandera Bugle, pub- 
lished in 1880 by Stephenson & Ward, one of the 
copies being of the very first issue of that paper. 

It is indeed a pleasure to sit and talk to this pio- 
neer mother and hear her recount events of those 
early days. Although she has reached the advanced 
age of eighty-five years, her memory is excellent and 
she recalls many things that occurred in Bandera in 
those days. The Indians made their last raid into 
this county only a few weeks before she came here; 
the barbed wire fence was then unknown; the ox- 
wagon was still in use; it required four or five days to 
make a trip to San Antonio and return; there were 
no telephones then; the comforts and luxuries of the 
citizens were very limited. Great changes have taken 
place, and Mrs. Weldon has observed all of these 
changes and talks very interestingly of them. 



BK; FOOT' WALLACE. 

William Wallace was born in Uockbridgc counly, 
Virginia, in 1816, and died January 7, 1899. He 
came to Texas in 1830, arriving a short time after the 
battle of San Jacinto. He had a brother and a cousin 
killed at Goliad, and said he came to Texas to take 
revenge out of the Mexicans. He was at the battle 
of the Sal ado in 1842, when General Woll captured 
San Antonio. He was also in the Mier expedition, 
but was one of the lucky ones who drew a white bean, 
and after returning to Texas he joined Colonel Jack 
Hays" rangtrs and was in many t\( iling Indian cam- 



Pioneer Histonj of Bandera County 



271 



paigns. In 1846 he was with Hays at the storming 
of Monterey, where he took ''full toll" out of the 
Mexicans for killing his brother and cousin at Goliad. 
Later he commanded a ranger company which was or- 
ganized to protect the frontier, and subseciuently had 
charge of the mail line from San Antonio to El Paso, 
which was the most dangerous mail route in Texas. 
Wallace's frontier life was fraught with many perilous 
adventures and narrow escapes. He was once cap- 
tured by Indians and condemned to be burned at the 
stake, but was rescued by an old squaw, who assisted 
him to escape. 




The R'ugh Hotel, Now Known as the City Hotel 



272 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

EARLY DAY BARBECUES IN OLD BANDERA. 

The following was published in the Bandera New 
Era, March 9, 1922: 

A few days ago three old timers got together and 
in swapping early day reminiscences the talk reverted 
to some of the barbecues that used to take place in 
Bandera county. This set your scribe to inquiring, 
and in ruminating around I reached the conclusion 
that life was really worth living. in those days when 
Bandera was a remote frontier village where a certain 
primitive simplicity pervaded everything. Coming 
from the States to Bandera at the time of which I 
write, one would have arrived at Fifty- Years-Ago. 
He would have been handling implements, enjoying 
the usages, contemplating the cast of characters, eat- 
ing the viands, sitting by the cabin fireplaces and 
snuffing the candles of 1836. And along with these 
the traveler would have noticed that with the man- 
ners and customs of a past age had been preserved the 
primitive health, vigor, feelings and virtues — a certain 
hearty, honest, homely dignity of character, which we 
have been told our grandparents possessed. Every- 
thing was done slowly, and these people had time to 
live, to grow old, and to grow fat. I said that every- 
thing was done slowly. I must make two exceptions. 
One was when word was brought that Indians were in 
the country. Haste, speed, and swift rustling to get 
on the trail was the response. Ask George Hay about 
it. The next exception was when the cry of affliction 
was heartl. This cry was ne\er unheeded, and relief 
took the wings of Love and Charity, and the sufl^erer 
found himself in the trouse of fiisfrreiitlsi Ask J. P. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 273 

Heinen Sr., or Uncle Frank Langford. But the pub- 
lic feasts of those days! The 21st of April, San Ja- 
cinto Day, and the Fourth of July were the great 
days of the year; rain or shine, there was feasting and 
revelry on those days; but there were other occasions 
for jollification through the spring, fall and summer 
months, and the smallest local happening of good 
fortune wound up with a barbecue and grand ball; 
and at these barbecues, always held in some one of 
the great cypress groves on the banks of the Medina 
river, the prettiest stream in Texas — there was no 
dearth of orators. Every man was called on for a 
speech, and even the boys were led forward and in 
most instances forced to "make a talk." A good 
story is told of Lee Risiuger's first and rather compul- 
sorj' efforts along the line of oratory. Lee was a big 
barefoot boy, 14 years old, and was one of the fifteen 
pupils (they called them scholars in that day) that 
comprised the Bandera school. He had completed 
his McGuffey's Fourth Reader, stood head in the 
Blue Back Speller class, had licked everytliing in the 
school except the teacher, whose sex only saved her 
bacon, and as the close of school was at hand and the 
event was to be celebrated with a great barbecue, the 
foremost pupil in school — and that was Lee — must 
make a speech. Lee demurred, but his demurrer was 
overruled. The teacher would assist him. She would 
write out his speech. His theme was to be "Educa- 
tion." And this is the first paragraph of the oration 
written for Lee by his erudite preceptress: 

"Knowledge is power. The school house is the 
bulwark of our liberties. The diffusion of knowledge 
cxpacdb the bru'dde^l rau^- uf Lbt huuiau ru1"clfci:l. 



27 Ji- Fioneer History of Bandera County 

Education fosters patriotism, and patriotism is the 
whip-lash for tyrants." 

Lee was out of school a week memorizing his 
"speech." It was to be his first effort and everybody 
was expecting an oratorical sensation. Other rewards 
besides the plaudits of a shouting multitude awaited 
him. Mrs. Koenigham had promised him a big red 
rooster; Mr. Davenport had promised him a new 
straw hat, and Charles Montague was going to buy 
him a dozen fish hooks and a nice red cork. Lee 
spread himself. As usual all the country attended 
the barbecue. Besides oratory, there wasjmusic. Char- 
lie Haiduk and his fiddle was the band, and between 
orations when the "band" with energetic movement 
played "Rye Straw," every foot in the audience was 
seized with a nervous restlessness. Finally it came 
Lee's turn to take the stand and win fame and fish- 
hooks- lie bravely niuujited the little platform and 
faced a sea of upturned faces. All at once Lee be- 
came rallied, but rallying courage, lie began: 

"Knowledge is power. The bull house is \\\c 
school — (Here he took .'i liilcli .'il his i);iiils ;in(l sj);il 
through his teeth) The the scliool bull lli<' bull 
school house is on Mansfield's lioss range, and — and 
— and Knowledge is power; the school bull is the — 
ah — um, um, the bull in the schoolwark — the bull, 
bull, bull — " 

"Say, Lee, your shirt tail's out!" shouted a small 
boy in the audience, and with becoming grace the 
orator left the platform. The boy who interrupff^d 
Lee's speech was Andy Mansfield, then a lad about 
Lee's age, and it is related that Lee spent the remain- 
dejL' of the day chasing Andy up and doVrn the forest- 



Pioneer' History of Bajutera County ^75 

clad banks of the Medina. 

But I must return to my subject — those early day 
barbecues. For many years John Pyka was the chef 
at all these functions, always aided by a full corps of 
able volunteer assistants. The pits were prepared 
under John's supervision, ample supplies of seasoned 
liveoak wood was placed on the ground, and the fires 
were lighted on the evening before the day of the 
celebration. John's vigilant eye was on that meat 
from the time it was spitted on clean wooden skewers 
until the day following when it was removed to the 
carving tables, brown, crisp, tender, thorouglily cook- 
ed, and retaining all its nourishing juices. All night 
long he stood over those furnace-like pits, reducing 
the heat here, adding more fuel there, all tiie while 
turning and "basting." And that ''basting!" To 
the novice it was a liquid compound, profoundly mys-. 
terious. Delicious? John Ross once declared that it 
would clear a man's conscience, and (liarlie Scliiuicttkc 
urged him lo confine IiimseU* to that diet for one year. 
It must not be inferred that John Pyka was the only 
l)arbecue expert in Banderaland. By no means. To 
barbecue meats properly was an important part in a 
boy's education in those days, and every native was 
schooled in that line. In the cow camp, on the hunt, 
at the roundup, nnd on the Indian trail, all these af- 
forded opportunities to learn, and all the pupils were 
apt. 

And in those days when a barbecue was suggested, 
no one thought of carrying a paper around, soliciting 
subscriptions to defray expenses. Never. There were 
no "privileges" for sale. The baneful clutch of com- 
mei'cialis'm had not reached these Virtuous, hospitable 



376 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

people. Ice cream, lemonade, cold drinks, and the 
merry-go-round were unheard of. Even ice water was 
unknown, save that quaffed from the pure sparkling 
fountains that gushed from the everlasting hills. I 
repeat, there was no solicitation for donations for the 
barbecue. The bare announcement of a function of 
that kind was all sufficient, and the only task was to 
fix the limit in order that there might not be an over- 
abundance. Fat yearlings, goats and sheep were de- 
livered at the pits. To offer an old animal, however 
well conditioned, would have been regarded as an 
insult. The old timers — those of the few who yet 
survive — will never forget the early day barbecues at 
Bandera. They vividly recall the early morning visit 
to the grounds on the banks of the blue, limpid river, 
where the air was redolent with the delightful aroma 
arising from the steaming pits, and the verdant groves 
echoed with the laughter of youth and the happy 
greetings of age. The long tables, the bare-armed 
matrons, the great array of boxes and baskets — all 
these are treasured in Memory's storehouse. And 
when the feast was spread the tables were not roped 
off to prevent the onrush of the rude and untutored 
rowdy. The women were always first in the esteem 
of Bandera men, and they taught their sons to admire 
and respect womanhood. The ladies dined first, as 
they deserved, and then became waiters when the men 
were called to the feast. The menu of the modern 
barbecue is usually baker's bread, roasted meat and 
pickles. It would puzzle the old time Bandera man 
to undertake to explain the menu offered at the early 
day barbecues in Bandera, He would have to include 
every delicacy the country afforded and that the 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 277 

genius of intelligent housewives could suggest. The 
rarest bread, cakes, pies, pastrys, and preserves, be- 
sides fish, fowl and fruits, all combined in making a 
feast fit for kings and higli prelates. And these peo- 
ple feasted ! Indigestion was unheard of in those days; 
the germ, baccilus. pellagra, iiookworm, breakfast 
food and appendicitis were unknown, and the village 
doctor had to swap horses for a living. 

I can see, in my mind's ej^e, the old-time fiddler, 
the most important functionary of the occasion, as he 
rides in from the ranch. His fiddle is enclosed in a 
flour sack and carried under his arm. Everybody 
hails the cheif (musician) and the chief magnifies his 
office. All you old grandmothers and granddaddies 
around Bandera recall the happj' days of your j^outli 
when under the trixy strains of Haiduk's old fiddle 
your nimble feet made the gravel fly in the open air 
dance or trimmed the splinters from the puncheon 
floor ball room. 

There were all kinds of goodships around Bandera 
in those good old days. There was good fellowships, 
comradeship, friendship, social relationship, and oc- 
casionally the "Fighting Parson," old Jack Potter 
would come around and then they would have worship. 
When it was announced that Parson Potter, or any 
other preacher was in town and was going to preach 
that night or next day, no matter what was on foot — 
horse race, dance or ball— everything was called off, 
and everybody went to church. Protracted meetings 
were often held, always well attended, always earnest 
and orderly, but it was hard to get up a great revival. 
Parson Potter said it was no use to tell these people 
of paradise; they wanted no better place than Ban- 



278 Floneer History of Brni(icv(t County 

dera. But withal, there were devout men and wo- 
men among them in those days, most of wliom have 
passed from the busj^ walks of men to join the im- 
mortal hosts that sweep with silent tread through 
the gates to the tomb, and "their works do follow 
them." They laid the foundations deep, solid. They 
wrought well; they builded wisely. Witness the Ban- 
dera of today — the handiwork of their sons and 
daughters who still remain to keep burning the fires 
of hospitalty and patriotism on the alters erected by 
their pioneer fathers. Bandera was staked off as a 
town in 1854. For many years it lay in the path of 
the marauding Comanche and Apache, and her soil 
was often encrimsoned with the blood of her defend- 
ers; but with all of this, legally and morally, she pre- 
sents the cleanest record of awy county in Texas. 

It is pleasant to dwell on these splendid achieve- 
ments, but we would turn back the pages of time, live 
over the old, old days among the simple, honest, 
virtuous and hospitable pioneers of Banderaland, to 
hear their voices once more in song and merrj' jest, 
to participate as of old in their homely joys, innocent 
pastimes and public festivities, not the least of which 
was the old time barbecues on the banks of the 
Medina. 



GREAT FLOODS IN THE MEDINA. 

In 1870 a great flood swept the Medina Vallej^ 
Heavy rains caused the Medina river and its tribu- 
taries to get out of banks, the angry waters carrying 
away live stock, crops and small cabins. At Bandera 



Pioneer Hli^tory of Baiulera County 279 

the houses in the lowlands were washed away, among 
these being- the store of J. P. Heinen, Sr. Mr. Heinen 
lost his stock of goods, and sustained a total loss. 

In 1900 a still greater flood was witnessed, much 
damage being done •around Medina City, chief of 
which was done to farms along the river. This was 
on August 5th, 1900. A big barbecue and picnic 
took place at Medina the day before. The heaviest 
loser at that time was probably W. C. (Pomp) Free- 
man, whose farm was just below the little town of 
Medina. Mr. Freeman lost everything, his house, 
barns, farm machinery, wagons, etc., being swept 
away by the raging stream, and his family barely 
escaped by wading deep water to higher ground. 

Other floods have occurred in recent years, but 
none so disastrious as that of 1900. In 1901 much 
damage was done to growing crops by a flood, and in 
September, 1920 the river got on a rampage, and at 
Bandera the water was several feet in the Ardrey 
cottage and in the old Hudspeth homestead. 

C. A. FRICK. 

C. A. Frick came to Bandera in the 70s and estab- 
lished a blacksmith shop. He served one term as 
sheriff of Bandera count}'. In 1875 he was married to 
Miss Marj^ Kissling of this place, and to them were 
born eight children, six of whom are living, Henry 
Frick of Eagle Pass, Charles Frick of San Antonio, 
Alvin Frirk of Tampico, Mrs. Frankie Rechel of San 
Antonio, Mrs. Stella McNeir of Houston, and Mrs. 
Ella Riche}' of San Antonio. Mr. Frick moved to 
Castroville in 1878, later going to San Antonio where 
he was in the employ of the S. A. Traction Co. for 21 
years. He. died in 191G. His widow lives in San Antonio. 



^80 Pioneer Uifitory of Band em, County 

MRS. MATTIE JONES. 

Mrs Alartha Southward Jones was born in George 
town, Texas, January 24, 1852, and came to Bandera 
in 1865. She was married to Sam Jones July 2, 1868, 
Chief Justice Henry Stevens performing the ceremony. 
For two years they resided with Mr. Jones' parents 
on Myrtle Creek, then moved to the Jack Ranch 
where they lived several years. Six children were 
born to them, five of whom are living: Mrs. Armena 
Gibbons, lives in San Antonio; Mrs. Mahala South- 
ward, lives in Apache, Oklahoma; Jim I. Jones, lives 
near Helotes; William C. Jones, lives near Junction; 
Sam Jones, Jr., lives in San Antonio. 

Sam Jones, Sr., died December 15, 1876. He was 
a member of Jack Phillips' company of minute men, 
organized for frontier protection. Tom Stevens, Jack 
Sheppard. Jim Brown, Hugh Bandy, and John Clark 
were members of this company, which was quite active 
in scouting and trailing and chastising the redskins. 

Mrs. Mattie Jones — everybody calls her "Grand- 
ma" Jones — owns a pretty little home in Bandera, 
where I visited her a few days ago and was received 
with that broad hospitality characteristic of our noble 
Texas mothers. She talked interestingly of the days 
that are past and gone, of the days of her girlhood, 
of the friends of those days, many of whom have 
passed on to the fairer laud. Tn relating incidents of 
pioneer days she said : 

"This was a sparsely settled region when we came 
here in 1865. There were only a few girls of my age 
and they lived so far apart we were seldom thrown 
together. I remember, in 1866, five of my girl friends, 



Pioneer HiMnry of Bandera County 281 

Sarah Kelley, Fannie Thompson, Sarah O'Bryant, 
Christina Wish and Sarah Binyard, came over from 
the Sabinal Canyon to spend the fourth of July with 
me. On the night of the Fourtli a grand ball was 
given at the Duffy hotel. These girls remained with 
me a week, and a dance was given in their honor 
every night they were here. Fannie Thompson after- 
wards married Prof. Koenigheim. 

"I went to school here, and one of my teachers 
was Prof. Tom Buckner. In those days the Indians 
made frequent raids and kept us in a state of dread 
all of the time. I never saw a wild Indian, but I 
have heard them yell, and have seen their trail. One 
morning I found a pair of mocassins near our back 
door where a savage had dropped them. 

"I remember many of the early weddings. When 
Tom I^axson and Miss Rufana Chipman were married 
I helped to cook their infair dinner. One day while 
I was a school in Bandera, in 1866, Hugh Bandy, then 
a good sized boy, came to the school house and asked 
the teacher if he could speak to me. I went to him 
and he said, '^Nlattie, Pap sent me over here to tell 
you all that my brother, Jim Bandy, and ^Nlandy 
Roland are going to get married over at Utopia, and 
the whole school, including the teacher, is invited to 
come to the infair at our place. If you all ain't got 
a way to come, Pap will send a wagon for you.' And 
sure enough, ^Vv. Bandy sent a big ox wagon to haul 
us out there, and about twenty of us, including the 
teacher, went to the infair, where a big supper await- 
ed us, and we danced until sun-rise the next morning. 

"Mr. Jones was cattle inspector for awhile and his 
duties often called him away from home for days at a 



282 Pioneer Higtorii of Bander n Count if 

time, and I would have to stay at the ranch alone. 
iMany nights I spent in fear and trembling, thinking 
of my helpless condition if the Indians should come. 
We owned an old gray mare that we always kept a 
bell on. One day I heard this old belled mare run- 
ning, and when I went out of the house to investigate 
I saw a man, bareheaded, and with longhair, running 
after the horses. I hastened into the house, loaded a 
rifle and sat down by the door. Soon the horses 
dashed into the pen, and when I peeped out I was re- 
lieved to discover that my supi)osed Indian was Ike 
Stevens, who was after the horses." 



J. A. MILLER. 

One of the solid men of the county is John Albert 
Miller, who lives four miles east of Bandera. Mr. 
Miller was born in San Antonio September 10, 1851, 
and grew to manhood there. His parents, Mr. and 
Mrs. John G. Miller located in that city sometime 
during the year 1848, and passed through the cholera 
epidemic that raged there in 1849. On Februarj^ 26, 
1878, the subject of this sketch was happilj^ married 
to Miss Jennie C. Davenport, daughter of Mr. and 
Mrs. William Davenport, who lived on the Cibolo, 16 
miles northeast of San Antonio. Mr. Miller moved 
his family to Bandera in 1883 to occupy the John 
James ranch of 3500 acres, which he had purchased 
about two years before, and he engaged in raising 
cattle. At that time, he says, themescjuite grass was 
very scarce, but the whole range was covered with a 
dense growth of sage grass. At first they lived in 



Pioneer Illsiovy of Bandera Connh/ f?So 

the house where Rev H. L. Atkins now lives, but 
later moved to town and })uilt a nice liome, which 
they afterwards sold to B. F. Langford, Jr., and 
whicli was remodeled. Mr. ^Miller then built the 
elegant home on the ranch which he, with his wife 
and only daughter. Miss Minnie Miller, now occupy. 
This home is beautifully situated, commands a grand 
view of the whole surrounding country, and is one of 
the most conveniently' arranged homes in the county. 

Mr. Miller has always followed the stock business 
He is a true type of the old West Texas cowman, 
big-hearted, generous, and a lover of nature. He knew 
all of the early day characters here. Major Valerius 
P. Sanders who served as sheriff, as county treasurer, 
and as postmaster here for many years, was an in- 
mate of this hospitable home for a long time. Major 
Sanders was a Tennesseean b}' birth, but came to 
Texas when he was a very small boy. He served in 
the Civil AVar, was a Texas ranger, and at the time of 
his death, which occurred in Uvalde December 31, 
1908, he was seventy five years old. Mr. Miller 
speaks in terms of highest praise of Major Sanders 
and the great esteem in which he was held by all who 
knew him. 

Mrs. Miller's father. Captain William Davenport, 
was well known throughout this region in the early 
daj^s. He was a brother to Judge Booker Davenport, 
who settled on the West Verde during Indian times, 
and became one of the prominent citizens of the 
county. Captain Davenport organized a minute 
company on the Cibolo, and frequently followed In- 
dian trails through this county. At one time he was 
engaged in a battle with Indians on Paint Creek 
when the chief and two of the warriors were killed. 



284 Pioneer History of Bandera County 

He died several years ago, but his widow is still living 
on the Cibolo, is now 84 years oM, and carries her 
years lightly. John Davenport, who lives near Center 
Point, is a brother to Mrs. Miller. He was a trail 
driver and pioneer stockman, and has had his share 
of frontier experience. 

John A. Miller, as previously stated, has always 
followed the stock business, and has been very suc- 
cessful. In 1873 he made a trip uj:) the trail to Kansas, 
as he says, "to give away a little bunch of cattle." 
He sold them on credit, and never got his pay. After 
coming to Bandera he served as county commissioner 
and rendered excellent service. He is a man of keen 
vision, sound judgment, and does things in a practical 
business waj^ No half-way methods satisfy him. 

Mr. Miller has two brothers living, W. F. Miller 
is one of the largest cotton planters of Bexar county. 
George C, Miller, the other brother, is a retired stock- 
man and lives at Hamand, Texas. He also has a sis- 
ter, Mrs. Julia Meyer, who lives at Belton. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 285 

IN CONCLUSION. 

I do not want the reader to form the conclusion 
that this book contains all of the pioneer history of 
Bandera county, for there is much yet untold. I have 
attempted in my feeble way to compile the history of 
this county, from about 1852 down to 1892, covering 
a period of fifty years. There are many events that 
occurred during that half century which you will not 
find mentioned in these pages, for the reason that 
facts concerning them were not available. There are 
quite a number of the older citizens who failed to fur- 
nish data or give their experience for publication in 
this history, although I have solicited and urged them 
to give in their narratives. However, most of the 
pioneers have nobly responded, and this book con- 
tains a record of their achievements that will be pre- 
served so that their children and their children's 
children will know of the things that occurred when 
Bandera county was young. 

This book was printed in a small country printing 
house; the type was set by hand, the printing was 
done with a small cylinder press, and the sewing and 
binding was done by hand . Therefore, we do not ex- 
pect this volume to compare with the books that are 
turned out by large publishing houses. It is the con- 
tents that make the book, anyway, so I have no 
apologies to offer for its typographical appearance. I 
ara really proud of what the "Pioneer History of Ban- 
dera County" contains. The labor incident to its 
publication pales into insignificance when compared 
to the pleasure I have found in compiling and editing 
the work. It has indeed been a pleasing task to meet 



286 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 



many of these old timers and, in my feeble way, to 
write of the deeds of the pioneer men and women of 
this county. My only regret is that I have not been 
able to meet all of them and hear from their own lips 
the story of their joys and sorrows, their hardships 
and struggles, of the privations the}^ endured, and of 
the rare pleasures they enjoyed in the daj's of long 
ago. Mj^ book is incomplete. Many of the pioneer 
families have no sketches herein, because I was unable 
to obtain the data— the Bauerleins, Bandy, Daven- 
ports, Wilson Clark, Banta, Taylors, Thompsons, 
Freemans, Bentons, Hudspeths, Browns, Sheppards, 
Caseys, Klappenbach, D. A. T. Walton, Obrieski, 
Minear, McGill, Curtis, and a host of others — but 
sometime in the future I hope to compile a second 




Bandera Baptist Church. 



Pioneer History of Bandera County 287 

volume of this history, and, with this in view, I would 
kindly ask eveiy old pioneer to at once furnish me 
with an account of his experience on the frontier. 

In placing the record of pioneer achievement be- 
fore the rising generation it is my hope that our boys 
and girls will be guided by the examples shown and 
become as good citizens as their forefathers and 
mothers have been. 




IJ^DEX TO COJ^TEJ^TS 

Page 

Our Pioneer Women 7 

Times Have Changed 12 

Bandera Has a Beginning 15 

Bandera Pass 20 

Camp Verde 21 

Bladen Mitchell 22 

Indians Kill Assessor McMurray 24 

Amanda Davis Killed by Indians 25 

Captured an Indian „ 26 

Richard M. Ware 27 

Life Story of Mrs. Annie E. Brown 28 

Killing of Theodore Kindia 42 

Came to Texas in 1850 43 

The Killing of Berry Buckelew 44 

Dr. Edwin M. Downs 46 

Early Days in Old Bandera 49 

Thomas A. Laxson 53 

Charles de Montel, Sr 54 

Charles F. Schmidtke 56 

Charles de Montel, Jr. 58 

Mrs. Amelia Schmidtke 60 

The Buck Family 60 

John Kindia Came With Colonists 62 

Tom Click Has a Narrow Escape 63 

Pipe Creek Pioneers 64 

Mrs. Mary Jane Walker 68 

F. M. Hodges 70 

J. A. V. Pue 71 

Murder of Mr. and Mrs. Moore 72 

Lived in a Pole Pen 74 

James Washington Walker 76 

P. H. Mazurek 80 

Experiences of J. P. Heinen, Sr 84 

H. C Wright 89 

Furnished Telegraph Posts 90 

"Seco'' Smith 'Ji 



mDE.Y TO COJ\'TLWTS' 

Page 

Judge Hugh C. Duffy 101 

Daniel Rugh 102 

The Mansfield Family _ 106 

The Maass Family 108 

Sixty-five Years in Bandera 108 

Attacked by a Panther 110 

Judge George Hay HI 

Emil Huffmeyer 116 

H. H. Carmichael 117 

Judge Edward M. Ross 119 

F. L. Hicks 120 

Drowning of Riggs 122 

Lost a Wagonload of Iron 123 

Old Time Charivaris 123 

The Montague Family 124 

James Franklin Hodges 126 

Early Day Mail Carrying 127 

An Indian Captive 128 

W. S. Hinds. Sf. 132 

David Cryer Killed by Indians 134 

"Fighting Jack" Potter 135 

Mrs. Constantina Adamietz 136 

Leopold Haby 145 

Unclp Jack Stevens 1 !'.> 

Thp Bandpra Buglp , 152 

The Killing of Jack Phillips 154 

Buck Hamilton „ 15G 

Mry. Mary E. iludsueth loS 

Lrrew Up in Bandera County 160 

John Fyka 166 

ijenry Stevens, Sr „ _ K>9 

Vv'ae in Packsaddle Molintaia Fights- _ ». - IT 3 



I. YD EX TO COA'TKVT^ 

Page 

Settlers in Sabinal Canyon 172 

Jose Poliearpo Rodriguez 173 

Drowning of Joseph Winfield _ 174 

Thomas Click Killed bv Indians 175 

Reminiscences of B. F. Langford, Sr _ 176 

Lee Risinger 181 

Bandera's First Baseball Club 183 

A Tragedy of the Civil War 184 

The Bandera Enterprise 187 

Sketch by W. F. Surber 188 

Was Born in Slavery 189 

John H, Ross , 190 

Congressman Claud B. Hudspeth 191 

Ben Batto 192 

Judge R. H. Burney 199 

Tribute to Colonel Duffy ^ 200 

Christopher Fagan „ 202 

Death of J. T. Stevens 203 

The Thalmann Family 204 

Henry Rackow 207 

Andrew Gatluf Jones 208 

Jof Shoppanl Wounded 214 

The Mayfield Family 21G 

The Buckner Family 218 

Amasa Clark, the Oldest Settler 220 

Gabriel Anderwald 232 

Fulmore's Version of Our County's Name 236 

J. A. Teggert ., ...., 239 

Scouted in Bandera County 240 

First Commissfoners' Court i:4tJ 



TXDEX TO COXTEXTS 

Page 
Rescued Three Captive Children 248 

Judge W. F. Dorow 253 

A. L. Scott : 254 

J. F. Tait 255 

The Stanard Family 256 

Ike Stevens, Sr 260 

The Killing of Nicholson 264 

Wolff and Hoffman Killed by Indians 266 

Mrs. M. T. Weldon 268 

"Big Foot" Wallace 270 

Early Day Barbecues in Old Bandera 272 

Great Floods in the Medina Valley 278 

C. H. Frick 279 

Mrs. Mattie Jones 280 

J. A. Miller ;.- 282 

In Conclusion \ 285 



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